As Christians, we turn to God in times of fear and uncertainty as we do in times of joy and celebration. Please join us as we pray for God’s heart of love, mercy, and truth to dwell in us and show us how to face the challenges posed by the new coronavirus.
Lord Jesus, during Your ministry on earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people, calming storms and forgiving sin. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses. Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.
Father, we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world and may truth and empathy be their aim. Inspire and invigorate people developing better tests to diagnose the virus, vaccines to prevent it,
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers …—2 Corinthians 1:10-11 (NIV)
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From Bishop Keith
Dear Friends,
I don’t know how the rhythm of this new way of living is working out for you. For some the frantic nature of the tasks they are being asked to do will seem never ending, especially those in the NHS and supporting services. For others the opposite, though I expect that anyone with school age children at home may be feeling they’ve exchanged one kind of frantic for another. All of us, old or young, whatever our home situation, are coming to terms with the new realities of the coronavirus pandemic.
I hope the updates here from the archbishops and bishops and other parts of the Church are helpful. It is very important that those who need to read them do so, so we are all as far as we can be, keeping in step with one another, and hopefully following government advice to, “stay at home, support the NHS, and save lives.”
I’m so hoping whatever our experience of praying at home has been that the new government restrictions on our movement will actually help us become stronger on one area of our walk with God, Prayer.
Many people lit candles last Sunday night at 7.00pm and put them in their window. Could we as a diocese do the same this Sunday at 7.00pm.
Lighting a candle and joining together in prayer.
There are many ways we can pray and there are wonderful resources out there.
This Sunday night, if you can, light a candle, and cry out to God in prayer for ourselves, our country and our world.
With love in Christ,
+Keith
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