Love never fails

I will say of the Lord, ‘You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’. 

God of power and might we lift our brothers and sisters in India to you. 

We pray for your protection, 

We pray for your provision, 

We pray for the nations of earth to have compassion. 

When people are in need, you are our refuge. 

When people are scared, you are our refuge. 

When people are mourning, you are our refuge. 

Compassionate God, draw close to those who seek your refuge today. 

Love never fails

Even in the darkest moments, love gives hope. 

Love compels us to fight against coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty.

Love compels us to stand together in prayer with our neighbours near and far.

Love compels us to give and act as one. 

Now, it is clear that our futures are bound together more tightly than ever before. 

As we pray in our individual homes – around the nation and around the world – we are united as one family.

So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts together in prayer.

For the health workers tending the seriously ill

for the scientists working on a vaccination 

for the researchers analysing data and identifying trends

for the media outlets working to communicate reality

for the supermarket workers, hygiene and sanitation providers

for the good news stories of recoveries and effective planning

for the singing from balconies by locked-down communities

for the recognition that isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness

for the 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.

For those who are unwell and concerned for loved ones

for those who were already very anxious

for those immune suppressed or compromised

for those vulnerable because of underlying conditions

for those in the ‘most at risk to coronavirus’ categories

for those watching their entire income stream dry up

for those who have no choice but to go out to work

for those who are afraid to be at home 

for those who are more lonely than they've ever been

for those who are bereaved and grieving.

God be their healer, comfort and protection,

be their strength, shield and provision

be their security, safety and close companion

And raise up your Church

to be your well-washed hands and faithful feet 

to be present to the pain

to respond with love in action

if even from a safe distance.

God, in your mercy,

‘For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38-39)

God of heaven and earth,

in these times of isolation,

apart from loved ones

distant from friends

away from neighbours

thank you that there is nothing

in all of creation,

not even coronavirus,

that is able to separate us from your love.

And may your love that never fails

continue to be shared

through the kindness of strangers

looking out for each other,

for neighbours near and far

all recognising our shared vulnerability,

each of us grateful for every breath,

and willing everyone to know the gift

of a full and healthy life.

Keep us all in your care. 

Restoring and healing God,

thank you for medical workers everywhere,

embodying sacrificial love in these challenging times

putting the welfare of others before their own

staying away from their family and loved ones

comforting the concerned and bereaved

reassuring the anxious and vulnerable

working to heal and restore people who are ill.

Be their guide, strength, wisdom and hope.

We pray for those in authority to do right by them

for proper protective equipment to be provided

and for their dedication to be met with much gratitude

and appreciation when they return home, exhausted.

And we pray for medical workers around the world,

where resources and protective equipment

are always in short supply, not only now but always.

May these extraordinary times

lead to deep and necessary changes in how our world works,

resulting in a genuine effort to address the profound injustice

of life expectancy being determined by geography,

to awaken us all to the reality of how connected we all are

and to work together to create the community and world

we all want to be part of.

So help us, God,

Loving God,

we seek your presence

in the silence beyond words

looking to you for comfort,

strength, protection and reassurance

breathing with gratitude

holding on to hope

trusting with faith

that you are still God

in the midst of the turmoil

and that your love reaches

to the ends of the earth.

Be present with us now.

(Silence)

‘Love…bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Love never ends.’
(1 Corinthians 13:7-8)

Loving God,

strengthen our innermost being

with your love that bears all things

even the weight of this global pandemic

even the long haul of watching for symptoms

of patiently waiting for this to pass

watching and waiting,

keeping our gaze fixed on you,

and looking out for our neighbours

near and far.

Instil in our shaken souls

the belief and hope that all things

are possible with your creative love

for strangers to become friends

for science to source solutions

for resources to be generously shared

so everyone, everywhere, may have what they need

for your perfect love that knows no borders

may cast out any fear and selfishness that divides.

May your love that never ends

be our comfort, strength and guide

for the wellbeing of all and

the glory of God.

May your love that never fails

strengthen the weak

encourage the fearful

calm the anxious

heal the sick

through your church –

your washed hands

and feet on earth –

distant but still present

virtual but still connected

apart but still helping.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and forever.