Soul Survivor Watford is a vibrant Anglican church with a vision to bring the good news of Jesus to all, and to equip and encourage people to live the whole of their lives for God.
A prayer from the communion service for the sick and housebound:
It is right to give you thanks in sickness and in health, in suffering and in joy, through Christ our Saviour and Redeemer, who as the Good Samaritan tends the wounds of body and spirit. he stands by us and pours out for our healing the oil of consolation and the wine of renewed hope, turning the darkness of our pain into the dawning light of his kingdom.
Especially we pray for:
The family and friends of those who have died of COVID-19 – comfort in their grief and consolation about not being able to come together to celebrate the life of their loved one.
Good Samaritans – those who have stepped out of their comfort zones and religious and racial divides to help those in need – protection from infection and the resource to build stronger communities.
Families and individuals who are anxious about their finances – your provision, peace in the storm and hope for the future.
‘ SURELY I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE.’
Matthew 28:20
Our Father,
Thank you so much that we can still be church and meet to worship you today. Thank you that as the church doors close worship can be accessible on any screen at any time. We pray that many would come to know you via technology during this pandemic.
Use your word to bring comfort to exhausted NHS staff and carers and to those overwhelmed with the responsibilities they carry. You never promised an easy life but we can always rely on the same promise you made to frightened Moses, ‘I will be with you.’ Thank you that you walk this valley with us – not two metres apart but within us, your Holy Spirit guiding us step by step.
We pray for:
Boris Johnson, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary and Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer – healing from C-19 and a quick return to their important roles.
All who are lonely – a circle of new friends and neighbours who care.
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me :
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said ‘ Here am I, here am I ’.
ISAIAH 65:1
Our Father,
Thank you that when we are in situations which we cannot control by our own efforts, experience or intelligence we can depend on you; you know the end from the beginning.
As a nation please forgive us for drifting away from our Christian roots and use this crisis to interrupt our ‘me first’ lives so the weak, the vulnerable and the poor become the priority.
Thank you that you are using these dark times to bring light into lives where you were an irrelevance – or even a swearword.
Please show yourself to those who never asked; be found by those who did not seek you. When we come to an end in ourselves let us hear your voice saying, ‘Here I Am’.
We especially pray today for:
The 500,000 people who have volunteered to help during the emergency – protection, strength and new purpose.
Shop assistants on the front line and those delivering food to homes – patience, energy and protection from C-19.
Thank you that you’re the One in Charge and you lead us step by step on this uncharted journey. Help us to lean on you in the security that your ways are not our ways and however mature we are to,willingly become like children again, learning new things about you and ourselves every day and relying on you to protect and provide.
Please be especially close to those who are lonely, self-isolating and living alone – be their constant companion. For those isolating with their families but longing for time alone – islands of silence within each day.
Please use this time to grow the love your spirit planted inside us when we gave you our first ‘Yes’.
We pray for:
Boris Johnson, the cabinet and all our MPs as they make crucial decisions – we pray for wisdom, easy collaboration with other parties and time to relax.
Those returning to healthcare in response to the crisis – that their skills would not be forgotten and they would have courage to begin again, knowing they have your protection.
Thank you that although we’re in self isolation you are always standing close to us hearing every word we speak, knowing every anxious thought on our minds.
You say, ‘ Before they call I will answer;
While they are still speaking I will hear ’.
And so, knowing you’re listening, we pray for healing for all those suffering from COVID-19 symptoms at home & especially those who are seriously ill in intensive care. Also for their families who long to visit but cannot.
You are the God of the impossible – please break the power of this virus to kill, debilitate & spread fear.
Especially we lift to God today:
Those in our church family suffering even greater anxiety because of underlying mental illness – comfort, peace & good sleep.
Parents home schooling their children – ingenuity, patience & fun.
Thank you that you encourage us with the gift of these wonderful sunny days, the greening of the trees & the bright spring flowers. Help us to see, really see, beauty in the world you’ve given us despite all our worries and concerns.
Thank you that when our normal, predictable life is suspended all our security is in you. Please keep us keenly aware of your presence today so that we recognise your voice telling us what we should do and who we should encourage with a phone call or message. Also help us open up our hearts to all you are doing in us personally and within the church family we love but cannot see.
We especially pray for:
Our local hospital - fresh energy for the medical staff, those with the care of COVID-19 patients & the porters, cleaners & kitchen staff.
Our GP surgeries – for protection from the virus for the doctors, practice nurses & receptionists.
Awesome Father, thank you that when we feel we are in darkness & chaos you speak those same, familiar words, ’LET THERE BE LIGHT, then order & creativity are born out of confusion & you ‘call into being that which is not’.
Please show us how to bring order & creativity into the new way we must live during this crisis for our families, our country & our world. Send your Spirit to empower us to live in freedom although we’re confined & how to live a narrowed life in a wide way. Help us to see the needs around us with your eyes & respond with your love & kindness.
We pray for those who are anxious:
For parents overwhelmed with how to cope with children at home for months. Pray for peace, clarity and that they would receive any support they need.
Young people unable to take GCSE & A levels.
Those with existing mental illness & anxiety in our church.
