For those who are in care facilities: Many care facilities have stopped visitation during this time to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This helps in preventing the spread of COVID-19 amongst a very vulnerable population, but it negatively affects those in the care homes in receiving the care and love they normally receive from visitors and loved ones.

• pray for staff, as they have the additional pressures of caring for people without visitors who often provide much care and can be advocates for their loved one.
• pray for the caregivers and spouses that are not able to visit or have been extremely limited in the visitation possibilities.
• pray for those in the care homes, that they may experience the love of Christ through the Spirit and through those providing care for them at this time.
• people we can be praying for: Henk Oenema, John Snel, Herman Veeneman (Hospice), others?

For those in the educational systems: Schools have stopped meeting, but many are scrambling to provide education for their students at this time through changes in curriculum and shifting to online formats.

• pray for teachers and educational assistants, that they have the strength and energy to connect with parents and students in the midst of these changes. Pray for additional creativity as they seek ways of caring for those with extra needs in educational assistance.
• pray for parents who have suddenly been given extra responsibilities in education. Give them wisdom and patience in this time of helping their children in their education in new ways.
• pray for the students who are missing their friends and are having challenges adapting to new curriculum. Pray for joy in the midst of their new learning experiences.
• pray for leaders – principals and administrative staff that have much to navigate at this time.

For those around the world: In prayer we intentionally turn our gaze beyond ourselves and the pressing needs of our society, to those of other cultures in deep need of care.

• pray for those in refugee camps who have already been affected by COVID-19 and are afraid of what an outbreak in their area could look like.
• pray for those living on the margins who are concerned how they will be feeding their families (Example: I recently read an article that had a taxi-driver in the Philippines who was already experiencing a significant decrease in his income).

A Song Highlighting the Theme of Compassion:

Mercy Now
by Mary Gauthier

My father could use a little mercy now
The fruits of his labor fall and rot slowly on the ground
His work is almost over it won’t be long, he won’t be around
I love my father, he could use some mercy now

My brother could use a little mercy now
He’s a stranger to freedom, he’s shackled to his fear and his doubt
The pain that he lives in it’s almost more than living will allow
I love my bother, he could use some mercy now

My church and my country could use a little mercy now
As they sink into a poisoned pit it’s going to take forever to climb out
They carry the weight of the faithful who follow them down
I love my church and country, they could use some mercy now

Every living thing could use a little mercy now
Only the hand of grace can end the race towards another mushroom cloud
People in power, they’ll do anything to keep their crown
I love life and life itself could use some mercy now

Yeah, we all could use a little mercy now
I know we don’t deserve it but we need it anyhow
We hang in the balance dangle ‘tween hell and hallowed ground
And every single one of us could use some mercy now
Every single one of us could use some mercy now
Every single one of us could use some mercy now

 

A Prayer From the Office of Social Justice:

For Refugees in Camps

Oh Lord,
For those who have walked away from everything they knew, we ask for your mercy.
For those who are far from home, far from community and identity, we ask for your mercy.
For those who cannot wash with soap and water, we ask for your mercy.
For those who have little resources, little choice, we ask for your mercy.
Grant the community leaders in refugee camps wisdom.
Provide and protect, we beseech you.
Flood the camps with your grace and fill each shelter with your sense of peace.

For more prayers click on this link: http://dojustice.crcna.org/article/justice-prayers-prayers-home-april-2-2020