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Columban Pandemic Payers

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Columban Prayers for the Coronavirus Pandemic

The prayers on this page were written for the COVID-19 pandemic by Columban priests in the United States. They appear in the Columban Daily Prayer and Weekly Prayer emails.

 

We Lean on Your Promise

Dear Lord God,
it was steady and predictable
to live in stability for a long time.

Now, there is much uncertainty
How long will this pandemic last?

In ages past, our ancestors also had
experiences of pandemic

We are not the only ones to know
this kind of illness and possible pending
suffering.

Faith teaches us that you  will not abandon us Lord God.
So, we lean on your promise to stay with us
for all time.

Let us be sources of encouragement and support
for one another as brothers and sisters
as we face the changes and pandemic of our time.

With God, all things are possible.
May the God who gives us power and strength
grant us peace and solidarity
to live each day with goodness and grace

In Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

— By a Columban Missionary

Trust

These days there can be a feeling
of impending doom, O Lord.

Help us to trust that you will not
abandon us, while suffering  flows
around the world.

Lord, let us trust in your goodness
to strengthen us in this time of pandemic
that we  may know, love
and serve you
with greater zeal  each and every day.

We  make this prayer, in the Name
of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

— By a Columban Missionary

Time

There is a certain rhythm in our life cycle
of  birth, growth, aging and death.

With the pandemic, this passing of stages
in life has been abruptly changed for so
many people.

Lord, help us at this time when our brothers
and sisters are in pain and dealing
with sickness and loss due to the 
corona virus

Let us know in a deeper gift, that You are
with us; now even in this time of uncertainty
and illness.

We place this prayer in the loving hands
of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

— By a Columban Missionary

Help Us Live in Harmony During the Virus

Good and Gracious  God,  
guide us to live in harmony
during this time of the coronavirus.

Please grant us strength and courage
to be flexible and adapt
to the necessary changes
for the health and well-being  
of  our friends, neighbors and families.

We ask this in the name of
Jesus Christ, Our Lord.  

Amen.

— By a Columban Missionary

Give Me the Inspiration and Strength

Dear Lord,
This time of pandemic is indeed long.
And the statistics are grim.
Days of social distancing
have turned to weeks. 
And weeks of near isolation, 
have become claustrophobic months.
Like the athletes running the Boston marathon
who named a part of their route ‘heartbreak hill,’
I am struggling and I observe some around me
who are also showing signs of impatience and fatigue.
Discouraged, some are saying ‘enough’ and giving up.
Help me to keep putting one foot in front of the other
and to be a source of encouragement to those around me.
In small acts of kindness, I can make you present.
Give me the inspiration and the strength 
to care enough about others’ safety to do my part 
and protect them from the virus
so that as many as possible can safely complete the course.

Amen.

—  Columban Fr. John Burger, U.S. Regional Director

Prayer to Combat the Coronavirus Pandemic

Most merciful and Triune God,
We come to you in our weakness.
We come to you in our fear.
We come to you with trust.
For you alone are our hope.

We place before you the disease present in our world.
We turn to you in our time of need.

Bring wisdom to doctors. Give understanding to scientists.
Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity.
Bring healing to those who are ill.
Protect those who are most at risk.
Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
Welcome those who have died into your eternal home.

Stabilize our communities.
Unite us in our compassion.
Remove all fear from our hearts.
Fill us with confidence in your care.

Jesus, I trust in you.
Jesus, I trust in you.
Jesus, I trust in you.

Amen.

— By a Columban Lay Missionary

Your Healing Power

Gracious God. Hear this our prayer in these disturbing times.
We ask you to hear the sounds of those who are
gasping for each breath in hospitals, nursing homes
and old age facilities, and those suffering alone
on the streets of our cities and towns.

Reach out with your healing power
to those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.

Be present to the doctors, nurses and front line carers
who are exhausted from their efforts
in this time of a pandemic that threatens
the lives of so many of your people worldwide.

Strengthen with your wisdom our public government
and health officials who are seeking ways to stop and control
the spread of this virus by encouraging their citizenry
to be calm, reflective and obedient to the restrictions
imposed for the benefit of all.

We make this prayer in your most holy name.

Amen.

— Columban Fr. Mike Dodd

A World Suffering from the Virus

It is difficult to make sense of what is happening
in our world suffering from the virus. 
We might be tempted to feel abandoned. 
But give us the confidence, Lord,
that out of all this can come a deeper knowing
of your love and care for us. 
Yes, we are vulnerable but may that vulnerability
open us to a deeper sense of your presence in our lives.

Amen.

– By a Columban Missionary

Your Overwhelming Kindness

Lord, during this time of anxiety and distress
our patience can run thin. 
Yet deep within us we know
that we can place our trust in you. 
You provide us with the strength we need. 
You do not burden us with any force
that we cannot overcome. 
Sustain us Lord with your overwhelming kindness.

Amen.

– By a Columban Missionary

Your Love Overcomes All

Lord you are my light and my salvation. 
Whom or what should we fear? 
As we hear in Paul’s letter to the Romans,
nothing that exists not any power nor any created thing
can come between us and the love of God
made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
At this time of distress and anxiety,
help us, Lord, to trust that your love overcomes all.

Amen.

– By a Columban Missionary

Trust in Your Loving Presence

We have many problems and difficulties
that make us fearful at this time. 
Lord, help us to have trust in your loving presence. 
With that confidence no evil force can overcome us. 
We remember the words in the psalm,
“Taste and see how good the Lord is,
Happy the one who takes refuge in him.”  
Lord you are our refuge and our strength.

Amen.

– By a Columban Missionary

The Power of Your Resurrection

Lord, this year we may not have been able
to celebrate your Resurrection as we would have wanted. 
But we are reminded that your Resurrection
came after much suffering. 
Help us to accept our anxiety and suffering
during the time of this virus so that we might
be prepared to accept the transforming power
of your resurrection in our lives.

Amen.

– By a Columban Missionary

You Have a Special Purpose for Me

“This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad.” 
Sometimes it is difficult to pray that wonderful prayer.  
That may be true for many of us during this time
of isolation and fear of the virus. 
Yet I know, Lord, that you have a special purpose for me today. 
Give me the peaceful confidence
that everything works together for my good. 
Despite problems today, is a gift that I can share in some way.

Amen.

– By a Columban Missionary

Lord, You Are Our Strength

Lord we remember that after the Resurrection
your disciples spent time isolated in the upper room. 
They felt the loss of your presence. 
They were afraid of what they could not control. 
Sometimes we feel like that because of the virus
and its social distancing. 
For many of us it is a time of loneliness. 
Help us to have the confidence
that you are with us during this time of trial. 
Lord you are our strength. 
Renew your spirit among us.

Amen.

– By a Columban Missionary

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