A Prayer for the New Year – God of ever-new beginnings.
God of ever-new beginnings, God in whom past, present and future perpetually coalesce, as a new year unfolds before us, through the dark days of January, through the vagaries of the weather,
though storm, flood, ice or snow may unsettle us, though personal difficulties may beset us,
help us always to remember that your light shines through the deepest darkness, that your love surrounds and summons us, that your life is stronger than death itself,
and that your grace sustains us and is sufficient for all our needs.
Amen c. Norman Shanks, Winter, Wild Goose 2016
A Prayer for this time of Coronavirus and Remembrance
Generous God – Fill us with compassion and concern for others, young and old,
that we may look after one another in these challenging days.
Bring healing to those who are sick with the virus, and be with their families.
May those who have died rest in your eternal embrace.
Comfort their family and friends.
Strengthen and protect all medical professionals caring for the sick
And all who work in our medical facilities.
Give wisdom to leaders in healthcare and governance
That they may make the right decisions for the well-being of people.
We pray in gratitude for all those in our country who will continue to work in the days ahead in so many fields of life for the sake of us all.
Bless them and keep them safe. Amen.
A Prayer for our Villages
Loving and healing God, we the people of Arnside, Storth, Milnthorpe and Levens turn to you in prayer, confident that you are with us and with all people in every moment. We stand before you as people of hope, trusting in your care and protection. May your faithful love support us and soothe the anxiety of our hearts.
Generous God, fill us with compassion and concern for others, young and old, that we may look after one another in these challenging days. Bring healing to those who are sick with the virus, and be with their families. May those who have died rest in your eternal embrace. Comfort their family and friends. Strengthen and protect all medical professionals caring for the sick and all who work in our medical facilities. Give wisdom to leaders in healthcare and governace that they may make the right decisions for the well-being of people. We pray in gratitude for all those in our country who will continue to work in the days ahead in so many fields of life for the sake of us all. Bless them and keep them safe.
O God of Creation and Light, we place ourselves in Your protection. may the mantle of of your peace enfold us this day and tomorrow. Amen.
Grateful thanks to Kandle of Kildare and Leighlin Diocese, ireland, for permission to print and circulate their Coronavirus Prayer.
A Prayer for Those with Distant Relatives
Creator God, Author of eternity, To you galaxies are millimetres and years are but grains of sand You hold before You all times and all places. yet to me these deep concepts are beyond my understanding.
I feel the distance of relatives and friends, I feel the ache of my concern for them and I can do nothing about it. They are removed from me held at a distance socially separated by miles and metres and hours and minures.
Give me peace of mind Lord for the welfare of those I cannot visit. Make yourself known to me and make yourself know to them that they might know your peace and find support and comfort in their local communities. I pray for my peace and theirs. Speak into the void, Lord God.
Tim Watson/Socially Distant