Coronavirus Prayer

As schools are now being shut down to try to lessen the spread of the coronavirus, parents are worried. As other schools are choosing not to close, teachers and parents are worried. Because of these worries, my prayers have changed.

Right now, I pray for the kids. The kids ages 5+ who are left home alone because their parent(s) don’t have the resources for daycare. The kids who may not have heat left on at home because mom can’t afford it and food too. The kids who won’t get the meals the school usually provides during those times. The kids who won’t get interaction from anyone other than the t.v. or computer, or possibly anyone at all depending on the financial circumstances of their family. I pray for the kids who are older and will suddenly have hours of unsupervised time and find temptations galore. I pray for the kids who are home alone, that they will choose to be helpful and get things done and take some of the burden off their parents.

My prayers are for the parents who are now stressing about leaving their kids home by themselves because their job is crucial. I pray for the parents who have to stay home with sick kids and are stressed about the money they will miss from not being able to work. For the parents who work really long hours or two jobs to provide and don’t get home till late, I pray they will remember to bring food home for their kids and that they will still have enough energy to give a little love and comfort. I pray for the parents of kids who are left at daycare, because there is no choice, that they will be taken care of and that they won’t get sick.

I pray for the families who have members that are already immuno-compromised and this is making them worry more.

I pray for the teachers whose schools are still going, that they will stay strong and healthy and continue to provide a healthy mind set for their students. I pray they will be extra aware of anyone who may be sick and need to go home. I pray that their worries may be lightened.

I pray that we will all be a bit kinder and more thoughtful to each other. I pray that if we see someone filling a car with toilet paper, maybe we will consider that they are buying it for their whole neighborhood. I pray that those who are hoarding it, will have their hearts softened and help care for those who have none. I pray that we will make a visit to the house of an elderly person we haven’t seen for a few days, to check on them and their needs. In cold areas, I pray that we will see if the elderly, the sick, those with babies, have adequate heat.

I pray that we will rise above our selfish tendencies and look out for each other. I pray that we will see, afresh, how much we need each other. I pray that each day I will be aware of who needs my help. Maybe my house-bound neighbor needs a fresh batch of library books, the elderly guy across the street needs some cans of soup or another box of Kleenex. Maybe the puzzles spilling from my closet can be shared with the kids down the street who are stir crazy. Maybe the friend I haven’t talked to in a long time just needs to hear from another adult before she goes nuts. There are so many ways we can reach out and take care of each other. While we are kicking this virus to the street, let’s do the same with our selfishness.

I pray that we will find humor in this, that we will remember to laugh. It is awesome medicine and unlike a virus, it is best when we share it with others.

Finally, I pray that we will be able to see the goodness in others as they answer the prayers only God can hear.

#Coronavirus #Prayer #HelpEachOther