Skyler Herbert, the 5-year-old daughter of First Responders Ebbie and LaVondria, is the first child to die of Coronavirus in Michigan. The grieving parents and community joins the list of 165,938 world deaths, 41,113 U.S. attributed to the Covid-19 virus. The grieving of the death of a loved one is only one form of grief experienced during this pandemic. The changing of the world as we know it, the loss of normalcy, economic insecurity, loss of employment, fear caused by uncertainty, loss of beloved colleagues, and loneliness to list a few. Those feelings you can’t name, are probably caused by grief. Today we offer a scripture and prayer for… The Grievers.
John 16:22 (NIV)
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
Let us pray…
Compassionate God of comfort and peace, we bring to the prayer altar all those who mourn the loss of loved one as a result of the coronavirus or complications, and all who grieve and call out to you. We come boldly to your throne of grace to obtain mercy on their behalf. Lord we pray that you send your promised comforter to accompany them on this journey. Lord as we go through the stages of grief; denial like people we pray our faith fails us not. When our pain causes us to be angered, keep us from sinning against you and our neighbor. Gracious One, at our bargaining stage, fill us with wisdom and understanding. In our sadness, Lord let us feel your presence and strengthen our aching hearts. Psalm 34:18 declares that you Lord are near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed spirit. Come into the broken places of our hearts and breathe Your Peace and guide us to acceptance. Lord. we know that suffering doesn’t last always, but oh God, please show us your way, lead us beside stillness and let us see you in the comforters, responders, volunteers and in the eyes of fellow grievers as we await the return or our joy that no one will take away. Oh Lord, God our Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter it is in your name we pray. Amen
Rev. Babette Chatman, University Pastor