These are times of high anxiety and deep anguish. The pandemic continues to affect every aspect of our communal life, and we still anticipate the peak of cases looming on our country’s horizon. Spiritual leaders in our interreligious world are trained and equipped to accompany people in times of angst and suffering; nevertheless, no one can ever be prepared for this kind of crisis and the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual toll it is taking on the global community. Today we offer “A PRAYER FOR…SPIRITUAL LEADERS” seeking to care for their local communities while simultaneously tending to their own personal circumstances in this trying time.
Hebrews 13:4
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you.”
Let us pray:
Holy One, Spirit of Comfort: we remember the spiritual leaders in our midst who are speaking your word and accompanying your people in and through the chaos of the coronavirus. Sustain all whom you have called – whose faith traditions may differ but whose purpose is united in neighborly service and love borne out of your Divine promises. We pray for priests, rabbis, ministers, imams, pastors, guides, shamans, monks, preachers, nuns, deacons, chaplains, and all clergy persons fostering care in these mercurial days. May they be beacons of hope and vessels of mercy; give them strength, wisdom, compassion, and the assurance of your presence as they tend to others. Amen and amen.
Rev. Justin Lind-Ayres
April 4, 2020