Each person who dies in the Covid-19 pandemic leaves behind them friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, and acquaintances. Death is a natural part of our being. From the moment we are born, we begin our journey towards death, secure in the knowledge that we will be united with You. We know that. We understand that. We believe that. May all who have died rest in your peace O Lord.
Yet this death is different, and those grieving over loved ones lost to this pandemic, cannot grieve in the ordinary way. Be with them, Lord, in their hour of need, both now, and later, when they finally get to celebrate the life that has been lost.
Reading: John 16 16:23
‘In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again.’
Then some of his disciples said to one another, 'What does he mean, "In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again," and, "I am going to the Father"? What is this "short time"? We don't know what he means.'
Jesus knew that they wanted to question him, so he said, 'You are asking one another what I meant by saying, "In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again."
'In all truth I tell you, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a human being has been born into the world.
So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you. When that day comes, you will not ask me any questions. In all truth I tell you, anything you ask from the Father he will grant in my name.
Give me the words, Lord, to sympathise with those who are grieving and the insight to see how best I can help them through it.
Other prayer guides:
- For healthcare workers
- For people alone in isolation
- For loved ones who are far away
- For families – that they can deal with the increased stress of confinement
- For leaders of states, countries and communities
- For those working in the food industry
- For those who are grieving over loved ones lost to this epidemic
- For wisdom for scientists and experts who are researching ways to deal with this epidemic.