Prayers for Coronavirus

The following collects were prayed from the altar on Sunday, March 15, and they may be of use by individuals during this time of great sickness.

​Prayer for the sick
(BCP 2019, For a Sick Person, p. 231, adapted)

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech you to behold, visit, and relieve any who have fallen ill during this pandemic. Look upon them with the eyes of your mercy; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience under their affliction. In your good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the remainder of their life in your fear, and to your glory; and grant that finally they may dwell with you in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer for great sickness
(BCP 1928, p. 45, modernized)

​O most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto you for comfort. Deliver us, we pray, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts to that heavenly wisdom which leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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​Prayer for medical professions
(BCP 2019, No. 50)

​Almighty God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ went about doing good, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people: Continue in our local hospital and clinics his gracious work among us, console and heal the sick; grant to the physicians, nurses, and assisting staff wisdom and skill, diligence and patience; prosper their work, O Lord, and send down your blessing upon all who serve the suffering; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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For civil authorities
(BCP 2019, No. 30, modified)

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send down on those who hold public office the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice, that in these troubled and stressful times and with steadfast purpose, they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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In times of social conflict or distress
(BCP 2019, No. 44, modified)

​Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in sickness, loneliness, or uncertainty befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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For trustfulness in a time of worry
(BCP 2019, No. 80)

​Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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For quiet confidence
(BCP 2019, No. 82, modified)

​O God of peace, who hast taught us that in repentance and rest we shall be saved, in trustfulness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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For the answering of prayer
(BCP 2019, No. 100)

​Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in the Name of your Son: Mercifully incline your ear to us as we make our prayers and supplications to you, and grant that what we ask faithfully, according to your will, we may obtain effectually, for the relief of our necessities and the setting forth of your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.