Day 216 | Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Day 216 - Audio Version

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Day 216 | Wednesday, 21 October 2020
 
I was listening to a doctor and some nurses last night on a news program who are in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis in their states.  Their comments caused me to pause and think back to when New York State was dealing with very high numbers and deaths, especially in the Big Apple.  What we were going through in April and May was frightening.  In some hospitals, there was a death every 15 minutes.  The comments I was listening to made me wonder if we have become complacent in our own state.  The number of deaths in our country is now over 221,000 and climbing daily.  There are states that are in crisis as we were in April.  There are communities where hospitals have no beds and patients are being sent to wherever there is an opening.

I have been remiss to not include in our daily messages more requests for prayers for Doctors, Nurses, EMS personnel, First Responders, hospital staff from around our country who are on the front lines of fighting high numbers of cases in their cities and towns.  Please, this battle is on going and not showing signs of decreasing any time soon.  Keep these folks and the families who are grieving the loss of loved ones in your daily prayers.
 
A Prayer of Intercession:
“God of love, we come in confusion, grief and even numbness. Help us to breathe deeply in your Spirit, to feel you in our hearts and minds, to know that you carry us even as we stumble.

When we cannot think for ourselves, guide us. When we do not know what we are feeling, care for us. When we do not know what to do next, show us the way.”

We pray for all persons involved in the battle against this virus that has claimed so many lives.   There are many in the medical profession who are getting tired from the daily struggle to keep people alive.  There are families not able to visit their hospitalized loved ones who are weary with fear and grief.  There are scientists working overtime to find a vaccine that will work to prevent future pandemics.  Lord, we also pray for those individuals who do not believe that this virus is real and a crisis in our country and in our world.  Open their eyes.

          “God, our hope and trust are in you. We have nowhere else to turn. Be for us an anchor in the chaos. Hold out your hand so that we can find you and know which way to turn next.

Oh God, how could this happen to us? Grant us the faith to find you in the midst of it, even in our questions, our disbelief.
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We raise to you our concerns especially at this time. Hear our prayers.  Grant us your peace and grant us and our loved ones safety, we pray. Amen.
 
  Psalm 121 A pilgrimage song.
 I raise my eyes toward the mountains.  Where will my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
3 God won’t let your foot slip.
    Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job.
4 No! Israel’s protector never sleeps or rests!
5 The Lord is your protector;
    the Lord is your shade right beside you.
6 The sun won’t strike you during the day;
    neither will the moon at night.
7 The Lord will protect you from all evil;
    God will protect your very life.
8 The Lord will protect you on your journeys--
    whether going or coming--
    from now until forever from now.