Praying in the Pandemic: May It Change Us

The writer, C. S. Lewis once said, “I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” 

This week, the United States passed a tragic milestone:  200,000 people have died because of complications from COVID 19.  While the first wave of infections from the coronavirus never ended in the US, in the UK and other parts of the world, there is a surge of new infections.  It seems to me that in the face of this pandemic, there is a change that is needed among many people:  a change toward more compassionate living.  While we all have experienced various kinds of losses due to this pandemic, some lose their lives because people refuse to take the needed precautions to reduce the spread of the virus. Lacking empathy for others, they spread an infection which can lead to long-term illness or death.

Recognizing our need to live more compassionately in this pandemic, I ask you to join me in prayer.  The virus will remain with us.  Let us pray that we may change, adapt, and care for each other as we continue to live with the virus in our global environment.

A Prayer in the Midst of the Pandemic

The Rev. Lou Kavar, Ph.D.

Author of Life:

In your wisdom, the cosmos was born filling the expanse with immense diversity.

In your creativity, a blue planet with unique life sustained by water and a perfect atmosphere came together from particles of cosmic dust.

In your compassion, life evolved to enable human beings to be conscious of the great expanse of the cosmos and to stand in awe at the wonder of being alive.

Sustainer of Our Being:

In this pandemic, we’re facing the fragility of life in a new way.

In this health crisis, our concerns for our future have confused us as we’ve struggled to respond to a new illness and, at times, have diminished our own well-being.

In this global crisis, our desire to maintain the ways of life we have known has prevented us from acting wisely.

Source of Compassion:

Today, I am mindful of all those who suffer because of COVID 19, who fight coronavirus infection in their bodies.

Today, I mourn the loss of hundreds of thousands of people who have died alone struggling for breath because of this strange illness.

Today, I join with those in grief who have lost loved ones, often without the opportunity to be with them as they passed or to bid them farewell.

Pillar of Justice:

Move the hearts of lawmakers whose desire for political gain prevents them from acting to promote the common good.

Bend the hearts of those who scheme of ways to profit from the suffering of others.

Melt the hearts of those who in their fears and uncertainty cling to conspiracies that endanger them, their loved ones, and their communities.

Fount of All That is Good:

Give us wisdom to protect ourselves and to live healthy lives during this pandemic.

Give us reverence for the lives of others as we wear masks in public to lower the rate of viral infection.

Give us patience as we adapt to new ways of living, working, learning, and sharing in daily activities.

Give us the faith to understand that you are with us through every moment of life, both in the blessings and in the challenges.

It is in trust of your goodness that we pray this day, affirming that life itself is truly an amazing gift, both today and every day.  Amen.