Worldwide Wellness Prayer Connection

With a global pandemic, I hope all will be drastically changed for the good. For it has been proven once again that the old way and the old order: American First or China First or Europe First … can no longer work. All countries must learn how to co-operate and work together if any serious problems of the world which threaten the survival of the humankind such as the depletion of the environment, the ever widening gap between the haves and have-nots… are going to be tackled and solved.

The future of the world depends on the awakening of people, especially the rich and the powerful to unselfishly create a new and more just and participating economic, social and political order.

Our life too must be regenerated. We must live a simpler life – with a less self-centered and possessive mindset; but more caring for other people, especially those in dire need, and more careful to use the world’s precious natural resources, especially water and food. We can also do whatever we can to protect the environment and to alleviate people from abject poverty. Remember, doing something is always better than doing nothing. For people of faith, we should go back to the fundamentals, Jesus’ call to us is simple, yet profound: “If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget self, carry his cross and follow me.” (MK 8:34 TEV). Our life must be transformed. We must rededicate ourselves from “believers of Christ” to “Christ’s followers”. We read from the Bible that Jesus Christ always lived his earthly life sacrificially: “Jesus did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people” (MK 10:45 TEV) As Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it so succinctly, “Jesus is a man for others.”

Soon, it will be Easter. The Easter Faith calls us to be hopeful at all times. It is because Easter assures us that no matter what, regeneration is always possible and will take place.

—Rev. Kwok Nai Wang

May the LORD who sits on the throne keep us safe in these trying time. May He surround us His strength and another. Our God is on the throne! He is our shelter and hope.

—Maksal

Gracious God, we remember the words of the Psalmist: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” You are God of all the earth, and we find irony in that a virus has connected us around the world. O Lord, we grieve for those whose lives were lost, and we lift up our prayers for all who are bravely responding to this global pandemic – for the first responders, doctors, nurses, medical personnel, researchers – for our elected leaders – for those marginalized – the impoverished, the homeless, the elderly, those who are alone….. Help us to know how to pray and to respond. Lift us up in your everlasting love, for we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

—Forrest Palmer

So much suffering
So many in need

Anxiety
Pain and death
Suspicion and fear.

Grant wisdom and counsel
Insight and action.

Healer and provider,
Supplier of need,
Have mercy on your beloved,
the world you so love.

Comforter and protector,
Ever present help,
Have mercy on those who suffer
On those in great need
On those in great service;

Grant them generously
what is needed
what is desired
what is prayed

Amen.

—Charlene Jin Lee

Meditation #1
There’s an old hymn that begins, “Time is filled with swift transition.” Between the beginning of March 2020 and its end, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to deal with changes that have made our heads spin. In fact, the refusal to adapt quickly, acknowledging that “Naught unmoved on earth shall stand,” has put us more at risk. The hymn also assures that we can make it through any circumstance by holding to God’s unchanging hand. God is stability. By building our hopes on God’s eternal love and grace, fear and doubt will not sweep us away. (97)

Meditation #2
These are trying times, filled with uncertainty, anxiety, lack of truthfulness, pending illness and looming death. For some, it is not helpful to be unable to take comfort in gathering for worship. There’s an old African American praise song: “If your soul’s not anchored in Jesus, you will surely drift away!” It is sung to a Low Country clapping rhythm that anchors the melody. Let us remember that Jesus did not anchor his ministry in a building, that even on the Sea of Galilee, when Peter faltered, the outstretched hand of Jesus was enough to keep him from drifting away. (100)

Meditation #3
On March 2, a tornado devastated parts of Nashville, uprooting many lives. Within days we realized that we were also in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. A friend shared a song that had been rummaging through her mind: “In times like these, you need a Savior, . . . you need an anchor. Be very sure your anchor holds and grips the solid rock.” As we sang it together, we were assured that God is our Rock and our refuge. Even as we shutter down against invisible forces, God is the Divine Invisible who holds our lives together. (99)

—Rev. Marilyn E. Thornton, Director, Wesley Foundation at Fisk University Lead Editor of African American Resources, The United Methodist Publishing House

Life-giving God: on this Annunciation Day we honor and celebrate your power to bring life where there is none, hope in the midst of uncertain doubt, and to do the impossible. In our time, inspire us to follow the example of the teenaged Mary to trust and surrender ourselves to you so the Christ may take root and grow within us, all to your glory. Amen.

—David Hindman, '76, '84, '95

Amidst the fear and uncertainty that many are experiencing as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, what may God be saying to the church? In Acts 1:8, Jesus outlines the progressively expanding scope of the church’s mission, “…. and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” What eventually stirred the church to take the message of the gospel beyond Jerusalem was the onset of persecution (Acts 8:1).  God often uses moments of crisis and catastrophe to refocus our attention on aspects of the mission we have neglected, forgotten or been afraid to execute.

Almighty God, giver of life we pray for people around the world directly affected by the coronavirus. We pray for those who have contracted the virus as well as those quarantined or isolated anxiously awaiting test results. We pray for health workers on the front line who risk their lives and that of their families every day. Grant healing, strength, peace and unity to your world as together we confront this common enemy. Impart wisdom to your church O Lord so that, inspired by a vision of your love and justice, we might obediently pursue the mission that you started. Amen

—Dr. Dave Hazle, Pastoral Studies Professor at United Theological College in the West Indies

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God
have mercy upon us all:
Our loved ones (Family and Friends)
The Multitudes of those we do not know
but with whom we share the same hopes,
dreams, and fears
those whose lives are ravaged
by this disease and those who
love them and pray for them-
especially the children,
the already downtrodden,
those who have no home
or family to turn to,
the young, the elderly.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God
May your Grace be with us all.

—Hugh A. Henderson (Chuck) ‘77

Two weeks ago, before the whole C-19 craziness really started, my daughter (14) wrote a short essay on death for our church magazine. She referred to the suicide of her friend, the mystery of passing away, the pain of those who stay here and God, who is silent and does not understand the death as we do… He can “play” the death, but never really experience it. I know, it is a heresy, but it reveals some open questions, which a young person asks and… it seems so appropriate now, it is almost scary. With the empty city and people sitting afraid at their homes, it almost feels like living in some kind of “zombie land”. Empty churches and virtual masses give the feeling of the traditional spirituality being even more obsolete than in “normal” times. The clergy in Poland, try to go on with executing their power over the “holy flock”, not noticing that they are alone in empty churches. That is really ironic! Definitely we need some kind of resurrection translated – at least in our context – into the language of 21st century. What does it mean that Christ really resurrects and he is not just a toy in the hands of cruel – or worse, primitive – theologians, a means used by greedy bishops or a weapon of unscrupulous “Christian” politicians. Christ, who turns the other cheek… Christ, who dies in the church… Christ, who – in Bonhoeffer’s language – leaves the world of humans in an act of mythical ascension? I can sense the questions asked in my world, but not much answers at this point. Are we stuck with – as Dietrich persuades – with just a prayer and righteous actions, lonely pilgrimaging through the world?

Please, forgive my simplistic thoughts, but after reading the text of my daughter, watching with her Italian movie “Life is beautiful”, listening to people in Poland and now reading the discussion of Heidegger and Arendt over the allegory of Plato’s cave, I could not help it. Plus, I am a philosopher, so – by definition – I like heresies. There are not much good heresies left in our world. You are always in my prayers, my dear friends.

—Wojciech Szczerba, Rector, Evangelical College of Theology

O Lord, you whose hands formed humankind from the soil of this beautiful world that you created, have mercy on us, your created ones.  Have mercy on those who are dying of COVID 19, on all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, on those who are sick and struggling for health, on the health care providers, on all those on the front lines of this health disaster, on all of us who seek to do our part in mitigation and in care for our friends, families, and neighbors.  O Lord, have mercy!  And touch us with your healing hands …  In the name of Jesus your Son, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by ravaging diseases.  Amen

—Dorothy Jean Weaver, PhD Professor Emerita of New Testament, Eastern Mennonite Seminary

Creator God,

Bring our communities, states, nation, and world together to take care of one another and to overcome the COVID-19 virus. Please guide us to stay in contact with family members, friends, and others we know.

Amen

—Bruce Harvey

We are inundated, O God, by a virus floating on microscopic molecules of human mist.

“Wash,” we are told. “Wash and wipe and rinse and scrub.” We respond, “Wash us, O God, so we remember our baptism – for life, not death.”

Be the “living water” Jesus promised the woman at the well. Let your mighty waters fall on the coronavirus as the Red Sea fell on Pharaoh’s chariots, allowing your people to move on in gladness.

—Jim Rand ('81)

Dear God,
Help!
Amen

—Joe McCutchen ('68)

O God,
For another day, for another morning, for another hour, for another minute, for another chance to live and serve You, I am truly grateful.
Fill me with Love that knows no barrier,
with Sympathy that reaches to all, with Courage that cannot be shaken,
with Faith strong enough for the darkness, with Strength sufficient for my tasks,
with Loyalty to Your goals,
with Wisdom to meet life’s complexities,
with Power to lift me to You.
Be with me for another day, and use me as You will. For Christ’s sake I pray.
Amen.

—Wallace Fridy

The Federal Council distributed a Book of Prayers to U. S. military chaplains in 1944. It included the following prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr, now known throughout the world as: The Serenity Prayer.

God give us grace
to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
that should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

—Dean K. Thompson

Passing through an altered landscape
O Lord
We look for familiar signs
We long for familiar places
May we know
That where you are
There is love
And where there is love
There is hope
Amen

—The Rev Robert M Watkins, Pastor, Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church

Unseparating One,
Hold us together, a fragile web of many strings attached, net forming compassion, patchwork sky-linked stars. By your word, recreate us in your image. Amen.

—Kathryn Johnson Cameron

“Be good to us, dear Lord,
for the sea is so wide,
and our boat is so small.”

—Matt Matthews, First Presbyterian Church Champaign

Caring God, in our distress, we cry out to you. We know that your eyes are on your children and on the suffering in this world. Your chest heaves as you weep along with us. But, in our suffering, we can be assured that your love for us will never fail. And, your presence will never depart from us. For you are our God and upon you we can rely. An ever present help in our times of trouble. And so, we thank you for your comfort and your care. And the strength that you give us to make it through. Amen.

—Tene Joseph studying at United Theological College of the West Indies

Mighty and merciful God, as the world suffers this pandemic storm and the nations erect barriers, we pray that you unite your people across borders in prayers with a common desire to seek your face. Knowing that your love generates sacrifice and self-control, we pray for open hearts to cease blaming and to build up trust. Please extend your healing hand to those who are ill, and your protective wings to your agents of healing. Help us to use this chance as a time of repentance, of turning away from haughtiness, of treasuring the gift of life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

—Hung-Chuan Lai (Ph.D. 14) teaches Hebrew Bible at Taiwan Theological College and Seminary

Wise and loving God,

We stand before you in this crisis that is filled with conflicting emotions and overwhelming needs. Moment by moment and day by day, our lives are changing. Souls are restless. The scent of fear is all around us.

We are your servants on the front lines. We are serving the elderly. We are caring for the sick. We are comforting students and parents. We are delivering packages. We are filling prescriptions. We are leading congregations. We are doing everything we can to keep other people safe.

We pray for our people, our customers, our students, our families, and our friends. And now we pray for ourselves. Our spiritual and emotional tanks feel drained. We have concerns for our family and loved ones, and yet we know we have jobs to do. Someone needs our help, but sometimes we don’t have much to give. Lord, we are weak, and you are strong.

Pour out on us the power of your Holy Spirit: so that our faith might be strengthened, our trust in you remains firm, and our compassion for others never fades. Empty the storehouse of your grace upon us right now. Protect us and guide us with your wisdom as we put ourselves in harm’s way. Replenish our spirits each morning and give us the assurance that we are making a difference. You are still the God who makes all things new. This is our prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.

—Rev. Prince Rivers, senior pastor of Union Baptist Church, Durham, NC

Strain, separation,
Isolation, and unease.
Pray: Emmanuel.

—Rev. Dr. Timothy S. Moore Minister, United Methodist Church Union Presbyterian Seminary North Carolina, USA

God … our Refuge
In a time when we feel exposed and vulnerable to certain danger, we turn to you and take shelter in Your everlasting arms. Even as we are encouraged to stay indoors, we look to you as our Hiding place our Fortress.

God … our Strength
In a time when many are, weak physically, emotionally and spiritually…
and there is certain strain on our systems and structures to handle this crisis; We acknowledge that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness.

God… our Ever-Present Help
Trouble-some times are upon us…..Trouble is all around us
As each country tries to tackle this pandemic [CoVid-19]
We acknowledge that You are our Source of Help…. Help us to cease from selfish striving Remembering to extend help to others.

God our Preserver
Many are sick and many are at risk of becoming sick. Allow Your Streams of healing to flow through communities and countries affected by this disease.
Remind your people
That You Lord dwell in the midst of our cities and therefore they will not fall
We confess
As things around us, seem to be failing and falling
We feel shaken and unstable
And in the midst of the chaos
There is uncertainty, insecurity and fear We confess that
Even as activities come to a pause there is still frantic frenzy in our hearts
Because the threat is real and our reality seems bleak
We open our trembling hearts to You

And we ask that now Lord Your
direct our attention to You
Quiet our troubled minds
Speak Your Peace to our souls
Fill us with Your Stillness…. that comes
from the intimate knowledge That
You are our God
You are with us
You are our Certainty, our Security And our Life-Giving Reality
Fill us with Your Stillness…that calm assurance that
You will never cease to be Our God You not allow us to fail or fall
In the midst of chaos and confusion You are still in control
Let Your Stillness
Fill us now with comfort, confidence and courage
As we hope in and trust in You our God.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray Amen

—Rosalena Robinson

Gracious God, help us as a community of learners to live the theology we read and speak. There is much fear mongering and spreading of lies happening that people are looking for proper guidance from the bible and Christian traditions. May we sit in prayer and combine as a responsible community to come out with sane and yet deeply moving spiritual responses to the mayhem and confusion going on. People are hoarding, becoming selfish and self-preserving, that the picture and symbol of the cross is being lost in the noise and rumble of the covid-19 virus. So many communities and people at the margins suffer due to lack of pay, lost jobs, pending rent bills, empty stomachs and lack of proper and affordable health care. We pray for those in isolation without enough food and essentials. Help us God, to show the grit and determination and join hands in prayer, in offering emotional and material support to those in need and in reading, preaching and doing the stories of hope found in the bible. Strengthen us God to use everything at our disposal to reach out to those who are faltering under the ill effects of the covid-19 virus. Amen.

—Father Jerry Kurian, Vicar of the St. George Simhasana Church, Thiruvalla, India

Creating God,

Your hands hold the whole world, yet we are facing a time when our own hands cannot be trusted. Instead, we face each other with fear and anxiety; we worry who will bring disease to our homes and our nations. The future seems uncertain, as policies and advisories change by the hour. Remind us that our future is always held by you. Help us to remember that our security is never anywhere apart from you. In this time when our hands may not touch, knit our hearts together. In this time when we refrain from gathering, weave together our prayers and songs from every corner of your world. Hold us in your healing hands, as you always have. Amen.

—Rev. Peter Kaniah, Secretary General of Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

Our father, we bless your name for it is only in you we live, move and have our being. We pray for our brothers and sisters everywhere affected by the pandemic that you will keep them in good health and save them from the threat of COVID-19. We connect our faith and hold on to your promises that you will save them from all pestilence and diverse diseases.

We thank you for keeping them in your protective care that they may prosper and be in good health. AMEN!

—Dr. Sam Reeves, Senior Pastor of Historic Providence Baptist Church, Liberia