Prayers about the Coronavirus Outbreak

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your name’s sake. Amen.

God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope; in their darkness, be their light; through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For those who are ill

Merciful God, we entrust to your tender care those who are ill or in pain, knowing that whenever danger threatens your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe. Comfort and heal them, and restore them to health and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Christian community

We are not people of fear: we are people of courage.

We are not people who protect our own safety:

we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.

We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity.

We are your people God, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs

For as long as it takes wherever you call us.

[Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference]

Let us pray to God, who alone makes us dwell in safety:

For all who are affected by coronavirus, through illness or isolation or anxiety, that they may find relief and recovery:

For those who are guiding our nation at this time, and shaping national policies, that they may make wise decisions:

For doctors, nurses and medical researchers,

that through their skill and insights many will be restored to health:

For the vulnerable and the fearful, for the gravely ill and the dying,

that they may know your comfort and peace:

We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,

to the mercy and protection of God.

God, our rock and shield, we pray for our land, and all nations and places in our world, as many endure the effects of the illness Covid-19 and the Coronavirus pandemic.

For those who are ill, grant healing; for those who mourn the death of loved ones, bring comfort; for those who care for the sick, grant strength and endurance; for those who are isolated or whose livelihoods are threatened, give courage and hope; for all who take difficult decisions, from governments to health practitioners, give wisdom and compassion to accompany the knowledge and experience that they bring.

Deliver us from this disease, we pray, and enable all nations and communities to grow in collaboration and unity as we face this challenge together.

Grant a legacy of enduring common purpose in facing all that threatens our global common good.

We pray in Jesus' name, in the unity of the Spirit, Amen. [Prayer from Churches Together in England]