Prayers of the People on National Day of Prayer (March 15, 2020)

God of peace, we pray for the world,

for all nations, from east to west, from north to south,

for all who are enlisted in the battle 

against disease and illness, pestilence and plague, flu and virus,

for all elected officials, administrators, 

researchers, scientists, epidemiologists, 

doctors, nurses, health care workers, 

including those caring for loved ones at home, 

and of course, we pray for the sick, especially the elderly, 

those in nursing homes, and those with underlying conditions 

and weak immune systems.

Grant your healing and protection to one and all.

We pray for workers asked to work from home, 

students whose schools are closed or who must now study from home,

for teachers who must now teach from home,

for those in need of groceries, household goods, and other supplies,

with no way to venture out. 

We pray for businesses and industries under financial stress, 

and hospitals, doctor's offices, and emergency rooms pressed to the limit.

We pray for first responders, law enforcement, 

security personnel, and our military, 

dealing not only with the day-to-day risks of their calling,

but who now must be wary of possible contagion.

We pray, O Lord, for this nation,

that in this trying time we might come together, 

not fleetingly, superficially, and opportunitistically, but enduringly

with a renewed sense of neighborliness, concern, and mutual regard, 

with a spirit of love and good will, 

with humility, gratitude, trust, and generosity,

and inspire your church to take an exemplary and winsome lead 

in so doing.

Lord, we pray for the just who know you, 

that you may guard and protect, your saints, 

heal and nurture your people of faith, 

that we might be a blessing and bearers of hope 

to one another, to our neighbors, 

and to this confused, declining, and dangerous world. 

Lord, we pray for the unjust, 

that you would guard and protect those who do not yet know you,

that you might appear to and call them as you know how best to do: 

through your Spirit at work in creation and culture, 

through your Word  at work in the church, 

through dreams and visions, by whatever means, 

that you would awaken them to your goodness in Jesus Christ, 

and usher them by the waters of baptism 

into your kingdom of grace, forgiveness, and eternal peace.

We pray for ... 

[Silence.]

And we pray for one another as people of prayer, called to prayer,

that each of us might draw nearer to you in faith, 

trusting in you to turn our petitions into concrete blessings 

for all those we name before you;

help us to model and practice the penitence and faith of your priestly people,

that you might heal this land, this nation, and this world 

far beyond our own finite reach. 

All this we ask in the name of Jesus,

who taught us to pray, saying, "Our Father ... " 

Amen.