Prayer

We are all very aware of the daily changing nature of the current world crisis.

I, like you I am sure, have been very humbled, challenged and inspired by the desire of so many to support the vulnerable as well as saddened by the fear and angst that is causing so many to struggle with sourcing food and items they need.

I am stating the obvious in saying we are in unchartered waters and yet as leaders within the communities whom we serve we need to be showing a different way:

The desire of the Father is that all know His love;

The way of Christ is that of loving service of others;

The Spirit leads us into the heart of love so that WE may know His peace that passes understanding and when we know this, take this to others.

Whatever your situation I find this offering from Fr Richard Hendrick helpful and inspiring as I look to pray for you, the ones we love who are vulnerable, our country’s leaders and our disease torn world:

Lock down

by Richard Hendrick

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soulYes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing. 

This one is from the Bishop of St Albans.

https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/coronavirus/

Worship from home

http://www.going4growth.com/growth_in_faith_and_worship/faith-in-the-home