“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
During difficult and challenging times God asks us to focus on Him and His faithfulness to us, rather than our circumstances; to dwell on his promise that he will never leave us or forsake us and to trust Him to help us in every situation we face in life.
God calls us to be a people who cultivate an attitude of thankfulness, to rejoice and say thank you. We all have something to be thankful for, regardless of our surroundings or how we feel e.g. family, friends, good health, shelter, food on the table, acts of kindness, sights and sounds of nature, birdsong.
We thank you for the blessings of your mighty love, a love that has no limits and that we can always rely upon, a love that gives us strength for today and hope for tomorrow. To you we give all honour and praise.
Prayers in a time of Coronavirus
We thank you that even in the darkest moments love gives hope. Coronavirus impacts all of us. But love unites us all.
Pray for the seriously ill and for those unwell and concerned for loved ones.
for all those at risk and in self isolation to Coronavirus.
for the young, the old and alone.
for the lonely, anxious, afraid and vulnerable
for those who are afraid to be at home
for those who are bereaved and grieving
for the hungry, homeless, furloughed and unemployed
for those who have no choice but to go out to work.
God be their healer, comfort and protection,
be their strength, shield and provision
be their security,safety and close companion
God in your mercy hear our prayer
Give thanks
For our NHS, Social Services, Key workers and Carers, working tirelessly, often putting the welfare of others before their own.
for the scientists working on a vaccination
for the researchers analysing data and identifying trends
for the media outlets working to communicate reality
for our teachers as they plan, deliver and teach children from home
for the recognition that isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness
for the clapping of hands or singing from balconies by locked-down communities.
for notes through letterboxes offering help and support
for the internet and telephones and technology that connects.
for the awakened appreciation of what is truly important.
Thanks be to God.
As lockdown relaxes and we ease into the next phase of this virus we pray for continued observation of the restrictions, good management of “test and protect” and some economic recovery.
We pray too for your Church, our church leaders and our new Moderator Dr Martin Fair. We pray for God’s leadership, vision, wisdom and guidance as we go forward in these challenging times.
We give thanks for the hope we have in Jesus.
“Love…. bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends” 1 Corinthians 13: 7-8