The Archbishops of England and Wales have written a joint Pastoral Letter. You will find it here:
A People who Hope in Christ
Prayer Resources online:
https://www.pray-as-you-go.org
https://www.sacredspace.ie
https://cafod.org.uk/Pray (they have a Children’s Liturgy at 10am on a Sunday.)
https://www.tentenresources.co.uk/primary-subscription/prayers-for-home/sunday-liturgy-for-families/
https://www.tentenresources.co.uk/primary-subscription/prayers-for-home/daily-prayers-for-home/
For a household in lockdown
God of the indoors,
who knew the confines of domestic space
at a time of little comfort,
help us in this time of confinement,
help us to see it as an act of love, in solidarity
with those who care for us and put their own lives
on the line for the sake of others.
Help us to ‘make room’ for each other, even if room is scarce,
help us to find reserves of patience we never knew we had,
to take offence less easily, to find in our hearts
an easy apology when we’re petulant.
Help us to be attentive, careful, and thoughtful.
May we draw deeply from the well
of our most loving times. Raymond Friel
For those who are anxious
God of Gethsemane,
who knew deep anxiety,
the desire for the cup to be taken away,
your sweat dropping onto the clay of earth like blood,
be with those who suffer at this time
from anxiety, the fear of their world
running out of control.
The facts alone
fan the embers of anxiety
in all of us: the grim daily numbers,
the fear of falling ill, of facing our end.
In our loneliest darkness,
in the night of our Gethsemane,
may we find you there. Raymond Friel
For Keyworkers
God of a day’s work,
who knew the early start,
the long shift, the thankless task,
help us to ‘see’ keyworkers in the pandemic
in a new and lasting way –
the ones who leave home to mingle
with the virus. Raymond Friel
For NHS Staff
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ, healed all manner of illness and disease,
grant to doctors, nurses, all allied health care professionals and care home staff ,
your boundless love and protection.
Keep them safe, and preserve them from all contagion.
Enable them to use their energy, wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience
to help, heal and support those living with illness.
We make this prayer, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For those who miss going to church
God of the last supper,
who knew real presence: a beloved one
reclining into you, holding dusty feet as you poured water
over them, the tug at the hem of your garment,
touch us now, unable to receive
your risen body in church, unable
to gather as your body;
touch us with your word,
handed on from your mouth, from memory,
written down, broken and shared over centuries
from the pulpit, the kitchen table; touch us
with the glimpses we can see of spring,
of our vulnerable brothers and sisters,
of your presence within. Raymond Friel
A Morning Prayer for a School Community
God our loving Father
we gather together this morning
but it’s not the same: many of us are not here
and there is distance between those who are –
not the distance of fear or mistrust,
but the distance of care, of thoughtfulness,
the distance that will help us to stop the virus from spreading.
We pray for friends and classmates who are at home.
We know we will see them again in real life
and value their real presence even more, the gift of friendship.
Help us to ‘see’ more clearly what is important,
the good things we had perhaps overlooked,
the small details of everyday life,
graced with your presence.
We pray for a better world to come out of this –
more grateful for the people who do the ordinary jobs,
more just in the way people are treated, more caring for the vulnerable.
We pray for a world which is more determined
to look after the earth, our common home;
a world that will live wisely, think deeply,
love generously.
We make all our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen Raymond Friel
Prayer of Pope Francis to Our Lady.
O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You know what we need, and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
A Prayer for Everyone:
God, Our Father, Creator of the world, almighty and merciful.
Out of love for us, you sent your son into the world
as the doctor of our souls and bodies.
Look upon your children, who in this difficult time of confusion and dismay
in many regions around the world turn to you seeking strength, salvation and relief.
Deliver us from illness and fear,
comfort our sick and their families
give wisdom to our rulers,
energy and reward to our doctors, nurses and volunteers,
and eternal life to those who have died.
Do not abandon us in this moment of trial, But deliver us from all evil.
We ask this of you who with the Son and the Holy Spirit, live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen.
Mary, Mother of Health and Hope, Pray for us.
Amen
Prayer to Christ the Healer
In the comfort of your love, I pour out to you, my saviour
the memories that haunt me, the anxieties that perplex me,
the fears that stifle me, the sickness that prevails upon me,
and the frustration of all the pain that weaves about within me.
Lord, help me to see your peace in my turmoil, your compassion in my sorrow,
your forgiveness in my weakness, and your love in my need.
Touch me, o Lord, with your healing power and strength.
Amen