Yesterday, the US hit 250000 Covid 19 deaths. Yikes that is a ton of lives lost and I have also been feeling the losses for those families and communities. We in our own small circle continue to experience losses of loved ones not even in that number or plague. It is heavy.
A lament is a prayer searching for understanding and peace in the midst of suffering. The Hebrew Bible psalmists and prophets wove many such prayers of lament into their writings.
Below is a prayer of lament over the coronavirus pandemic.
Hear our cry, Almighty Creator. Listen to our prayer. How long will we have to hide in our homes from this invisible enemy? Where will it strike next? And whom? And what if…? Our screens relay a continuous escalation of suffering and death around the world. Panic and anxiety abounds. Our souls are weary from the strain of the life-altering unknowns.
Source of Our Being, from the depths of our pain and confusion, we cry out to You. From fear-filled hearts and anxious minds, we plead with You. Rescue us, God of compassion and grace. We lift up our eyes to You, the One who promises steadfast love.
On all who have contracted the virus, have mercy
On all who have lost loved ones to this sickness and are in mourning and anguish, have mercy
On all who are unable to earn an income because their jobs have been suspended, have mercy

We cry out for healing and needed resources
We cry out for comfort and peace
On all medical professionals and caretakers attending to those infected with the virus, have mercy
On all scientists and technologists striving to find a vaccine and to make it available, have mercy
On all leaders of institutions and governments as they make decisions to try and contain the virus, have mercy

We pray for strength in the long and exhausting hours of labor
We pray for wisdom in the research and difficult decisions
On all who have not yet contracted the virus, have mercy
On the most vulnerable of our society who are unable to buy extra food or get proper medical attention, have mercy
On all those who follow the way of Love discerning how to reflect goodness to others within this crisis, have mercy

We plead for protection of health
We plead for all to remain calm and kind
Life is sacred and precious in your sight. You are the God Who sees us and sustains us.

Nothing can separate us from the Your unfailing love and kindness, not even sickness or the fear of tomorrow. You are our Light as we walk in this darkness. We will remember to celebrate the beautiful gifts You have given us in this present moment.

Almighty God, You are our Rock, our Refuge, our hiding place.
You calm our frantic thoughts and fill our despairing hearts with joy and strength.
In Your Presence living water springs forth in the wilderness.
You restore our souls. Amen.

Be the hope you hope for the world. When you are weary, lean in and on the power of love.