As the stay at home order in Minnesota has officially been in place for over a month, our nation, our people are suffering. Though necessary to protect ourselves and the most vulnerable of our population in this time of global pandemic, staying at home can be hard on our bodies. We hold our stress and anxiety in our bodies – causing muscle aches, pain, lowered immune systems and many other issues. Our emotional health and our physical health are affected by one another. Our activities are restricted and our moods are suffering, making it even harder to be active. Studies are being done on the impact that stay at home orders are having on the mental, emotional and physical health of people who are sheltering in place. Today, we will pray for our bodies, fearfully and wonderfully made. Made to move, to be active, and to be out of doors.
Psalm 139:13-14
For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
Let us pray.
Good and Loving Creator – you tenderly formed all of creation. Your fingerprints are on each place and creature, including your human children. We give you thanks for how you have fearfully and wonderfully made each of us, each of our bodies. Our bodies are capable of doing amazing things, of bearing children, of exploring the most isolated places on the earth, of dancing. Your creativity and power are reflected in each one of us. God, our bodies are suffering and sick. Many of your children are fighting against the sickness of the coronavirus, some are experiencing other health concerns that are not able to be properly tended to because of the stress on our medical system. And many are in pain and feeling sick because our bodies are not able to move and be active in the ways that they have been in the past. God, our hearts are hurting and so are our bodies. Lay your healing hands on your people, O God. Bless them with peaceful spirits and outlets of healthy stress release; comfort all those in pain and those who are sick. All this we pray in your name. Amen.