‘Weekly Prayers’
‘The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ’ Philippians 4:5-7
Loving Father God,
Sometimes we feel weary and worried as we continue to take care of one another in this pandemic and respect social distancing. When days seem heavy laden and hard to bear, please help us to know in our heads that you are always with us, and to feel your loving presence in our hearts. Grant us that peace which is beyond human understanding, so that we trust in you and allow our anxious fears to subside.
We lift to you all those who work for the NHS and related organisations, and thank you for their skill and care as they work concurrently to care for those who are very sick and roll out the vaccination programme that will keep us well. We pray that you will protect them from trauma and help them to cope with the demands of working in such a stressful environment. Please help them to unwind at the end of each working day and enter a restful sleep, so that they wake refreshed with strength to face another day.
We thank you for bringing us Navina Thompson as as our curate, and we pray for her as she brings her gifts, her talents, and all that she is to St Giles’. Would you help her to flourish and grow in this place as she serves you in obedience, faith, and love.
We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Coronavirus prayer written by a member of the London clergy team.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you travelled through towns and villages curing every disease and illness.
At your command the sick were made well.
Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus,
that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus.
May they regain their strength and health
through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fears,
which prevent nations from working together
and neighbours from helping each other.
Heal us from our pride,
which can make us claim invulnerability
to a disease that knows no borders.
Lord Jesus Christ, healer of all,
stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died.
As they worry and grieve,
defend them from illness and despair.
May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors and nurses, researchers and all medical professionals
who seek to heal and help those affected
and who put themselves at risk in the process.
May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations.
Give them the foresight to act with clarity and true concern
for the well-being of people they are meant to serve.
Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions
that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks.
May they know your peace,
as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are at home or abroad,
surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few,
Lord Jesus Christ, stay with us
as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare
In place of anxiety, give us your peace.
Lord Jesus Christ, heal us.
Amen.
Grant, we beseech you, merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, evermore. Amen.
The Prayer Routes page gives information about ways of developing personal times of prayer and intimacy with God, as does the Daily Prayer page.
