Prayers Amid a Global Pandemic

Our world has been shattered by COVID-19. For many of us, our daily rhythms and routines have been disrupted. In time of such uncertainty and fear, it can be hard to know how to pray. Thanks be to God, we are not without resources. The following prayers are deeply rooted in church tradition. They are primarily adapted from the 2019 Book of Common Prayer (especially pages 642-686). Print this out or bookmark it. Carry wit with you, Use it as you see fit. When you do not know how to pray, may they be a resource to you. Don’t feel like you need to pray them in their entirety. Use words or phrases if you wish. Allow the communion of the saints to inform your prayers to God. If you have suggestions for prayers to add to this post, please contact me. I might keep updating this or write a second post as time goes on. 

A Prayer for those Afflicted by the Coronavirus

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech you to behold, visit, and relieve your sick servants for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon them with the eyes of your mercy; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience under their affliction. In your good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the remainder of their life in your fear, and to your glory; and grant that finally they may dwell with you in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer when Fearing for the Safety of a Loved One

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us [especially _____] to your never failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Intercession for Others 

A Prayer for Doctors and Nurses 

Almighty God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ went about doing good, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people: Continue in our hospitals his gracious work among us; console and heal the sick; grant to the physicians, nurses, and assisting staff wisdom and skill, diligence and patience; prosper their work, O Lord, and send down your blessing upon all who serve the suffering; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A Prayer for those who Serve

O Lord our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served, but to serve: We ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others [especially _________]; endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, that they may strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall, and, being inspired by your love, may worthily minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

A Prayer for College Students

Almighty God, by your gift alone we come to wisdom and true understanding: Look with favor, we pray, on our universities, colleges, and schools, especially those impacted by COVID-19, that knowledge may be increased among us, and wholesome learning flourish and abound. Bless those who teach and those who learn; and grant that in humility of heart they may ever look to you, the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A Prayer for Ministers

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who cares for his flock: We ask you to bestow upon your Church the gifts of the Holy Spirit in abundance, and to raise up from among us faithful and able persons called to the ministries of Deacon, Priest, Bishop, and Pastor. Inspire them to spend and be spent for the sake of the Gospel, and make them holy and loving servants and shepherds of the flock for whom you shed your most precious blood. Grant this for the sake of your love.  Amen.

A Prayer for our National Leaders

O Lord our Governor, whose glory fills all the world: We commend this Nation to your merciful care, that we may be guided by your providence, and dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of this Nation, the Governor of this State, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them continually mindful of their calling to serve this people in reverent obedience to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.

A Prayer for the Whole World

Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Petitions for Oneself 

A Prayer when Homesick

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve us who are far from home; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring is in safety to our journey’s end. By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A Prayer when Experiencing Cabin Fever 

O heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A Prayer in times of Anxiety

Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient. - St. Theresa of Avila

A Prayer in times of Depression

Blessed Jesus, in the comfort of your love, I lay before you the memories that haunt me, the anxieties that perplex me, the despair that frightens me, and my frustration at my inability to think clearly. Help me to discover your forgiveness in my memories and know your peace in my distress. Touch me, O Lord, and fill me with your light and your hope. Amen. (From Enriching Our Worship 2: Ministry with the Sick or Dying: Burial of a Child, The Episcopal Church) 

A Prayer when Hearing the Rising Death Toll

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; and may their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. May light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.

A Prayer for Patience

O God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you: Grant to us, your humble servants, patient endurance in this time of anxiety, pestilence, and isolation. Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Daily Prayers 

A Prayer to Find the Energy to Get out of Bed 

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me, and all the benefits thou hast given me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother: Grant that I may see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day. Amen. - Richard of Chichester

A Prayer in the Evening

Support us, O Lord, all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Adapted from the 1928 Prayer Book) 

A Prayer for Sleep

Father, in your mercy dispel the darkness of this night, and let your servant sleep in peace, that at the dawn of a new day I may wake with joy in your Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for the Holy Use of Time

O Holy Spirit, giver of light and life, impart to us thoughts better than our own thoughts, and prayers better than our own prayers, and powers better than our own powers, that we may spend and be spent in the ways of love and goodness, after the perfect image of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. (Eric Milner-White and G W Briggs, Daily Prayer [1941])

A Prayer for Spiritual Communion (When Unable to Attend Mass)

Dear Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to possess you within my soul. And since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, together with all your faithful people [gathered around every altar of your Church], and I embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Never permit me to be separated from you.  Amen. (Here's a longer liturgy from the good folks at Earth & Altar.)