Prayer for Our Local National Day of Prayer Observance

Tony the Misfit on Flickr / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

National Science Foundation

Almighty and Ever-living God…

For the sake of the Sorrowful Passion of your Only-Begotten Son, have mercy upon your people, O Lord, and upon the whole world. Grant, we beseech you, the healing of body, of mind, and of soul to all of those who are afflicted with the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus, and of every other crippling illness. Give recovery to the cities and communities of our nation and the world who are suffering the effects of this disease, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, help those communities and their leaders turn to you, who alone may give them aid and rescue. We especially remember your precious poor of the world who do not have access to clean water or proper medical care during this epidemic.


We pray for those who are suffering the social and economic effects of COVID-19, particularly those who have been deprived of the dignity of meaningful work, and the fruits of their labor, knowing that many of our neighbors-our brothers and sisters-feel that their livelihood and even their God-given liberty is in danger because of something they cannot control. Come to their aid, O God, and to ours, for the power to restore us is yours alone.


We ask you, O Lord, to bring deliverance to the the nations of the world from degeneration, disaster, and war. We pray that our leaders will give themselves neither to a spirit of fear, nor to a spirit of reliance upon their own wisdom, but that they will turn to Divine Wisdom, which can only be found in the Risen Christ. When this trial is over, grant that its fruits may be used to your glory, that men and women will turn their hearts to God alone, and give you thanks and praise for your salvation.


We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.


Amen.


Note: The video version of this prayer was edited and shortened in order to fit within the allotted time for the observance. This is the original prayer as I wrote it.