Monday, March 16, 2020

A Prayer as We Confront the Corona Virus




A Prayer in Time of Trial.

“Out of my distress, I called on the Lord. The Lord answered me and set me free” (Ps. 118:5).

Good and Gracious God, you are compassionate and merciful.

Be with us during this time of trial and anxiety as we here at Cristo Rey Jesuit, and our human family all around the world, experience the reality of the Corona virus.

Help us to remain healthy, not just in body, but also in mind and spirit.

Give us the graces we need to remain calm and hopeful.  Show us how to bolster and enliven one another during these days of disrupted routine.

Let us use this time well.  Show us what to read and watch so that our souls are nurtured, and our minds enriched.  Help us take time for conversations.  Help us to find ways to recreate and rest.

During these weeks of Lent, help us take this opportunity to immerse ourselves in prayer, find ways to give and be of service to one another, and refrain from all that keeps us from loving relationships with you and others.

Especially, be with health care workers and all institutional leaders who are responding to this crisis.

Most importantly, we pray these days for all who are suffering the effects of Covid-19.  We ask that your power and love be with all who have contracted this virus.  And for those who have died, may they rest in peace.  Please console their loved ones who remain.

Good and loving God, be with us and lead us through this time of difficulty.  Show us how to be happy and healthy and holy and free.  Help us hope.  Forge in us faith.  Let us live love.

Many of us ask all this through Christ Our Lord.  AMEN

- Fr. Richard G. Malloy, S.J.