Sunday 10 May 2020 

Prayer
 
To those shaken and confused, Lord,
grant guidance.
To those frightened of what they may have to face,
grant reassurance.
To those worried they may be showing symptoms of infection,
grant wisdom to take the appropriate steps.
To those most at risk whose health is taking a turn for the worst,
grant quality care and healing.
To those troubled about critically ill loved ones,
grant help to believe the best,
yet to cope with the worst should it come.
To those who, despite the best efforts of medical staff, are dying,
grant relief from any physical distress,
and a peaceful end.
To those wrestling with the bitterness of bereavement,
grant comfort and hope,
even amid the tears.
To all engulfed
or overwhelmed
by the impact of this crisis that has fallen so heavily upon us,
grant the knowledge that,
however much it may seem otherwise,
you are with us,
in life and in death,
sharing our pain,
our heartache
and our fear,
and that,
come what may,
your love for all will continue.
Amen.
(Nick Fawcett)
 
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven…
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us in the time of trial
and deliver us from evil
for the kingdom, the power and the glory
are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.
 
Readings
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
John 14:1-14
 
Prayers for ourselves and others.
Loving God,
On this day we give thanks for the Work of Christian Aid,
the official charity of the mainline churches –
the charity that proclaims its belief in “life before death”,
and which strives to bring hope to people in greatest need
around the world – whoever they may be.
All year round the work continues but at this particular time of year
we have the opportunity to stand with them
and to become partners by giving to support the work.
So we ask your blessing on Christian Aid as it continues to make a
difference in the poorest parts of earth.
God we pray for ourselves and those around us in this time of trouble.
We who have been so blessed and who live in relative comfort and security
have now woken up to the fragility of life,
and been made to ask serious questions of what matters most.
So we pray that you will strengthen our innermost being
with your love that bears all things
even the weight of this global pandemic
even the endurance of watching for symptoms
or of patiently waiting for this to pass
watching while we pray,
keeping our gaze fixed on you,
and looking out for our neighbours
near and far.
Instil in our shaken souls
the belief and hope that all things
are possible with your creative love
for strangers to become friends
for science to source solutions
for resources to be generously shared
so everyone, everywhere, may have what they need.
May your perfect love that knows no borders
cast out any fear and selfishness that divides.
May your love that never ends be our comfort,
strength and guide for the wellbeing of all
and the glory of God.
Amen

A Closing Prayer 
In our fear, Lord,
be our confidence.
In our weakness,
be our strength.
In our panic,
be our calm.
In our sickness
be our healing.
In our confusion,
be our anchor.
In our insecurity,
be our rock.
In our darkness,
be our light.
In our grief,
be our solace.
In our despair,
be our hope.
In our storm,
be our sunshine.
In our night,
be our day.
Amen.
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