PRAYERS FROM THE SANCTUARY TEAM
One way of remaining grounded in hope and peace during anxious times is by continuing to pray. The team at Sanctuary have written some prayers and meditations for this season, which you might find helpful if you are uncertain how to pray right now. We hope that you will find comfort in praying and contemplating these words together with our team and with your own church communities.
A PRAYER FOR TRUTH AND CLARITY, DAN WHITEHEAD
May we know the truth of this moment, and every moment: that behind the thinnest veil stands the one who holds all things together. Indeed, God is nearer than we can know and His love for us is unwavering.
May this become a foundation in our lives, and may it bring us peace, comfort, and joy even in the midst of despair.
A PRAYER FOR WHEN YOU FEEL HOPELESS, SUE NICKEL
O Holy One,
these days I come and stand before You in all sorts of ways:
restless, silent, weeping, yelling … very hopeless.
However I am—and changing as I do—
what matters most is that you are steadfast and sure.
You are all around me and, for this,
I am very grateful.
You are the Sovereign One, Healer, Sin-Forgiver,
Sight-Restorer, and Lord over all powers.
Yet despite this, you came to the world as the Infant One.
As such, I want to come humbly before you,
whisper my fears and speak my COVID-19 anxieties
to the One who knows all suffering.
O source of perfect comfort,
give me Christ-Courage for these days.
Immortal, invisible, all wise God,
you give to all of life both great and small,
and in all of life you live,
you who are Life itself.
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise!
AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE LONGING FOR LIFE TO RETURN TO NORMAL, ISABEL ONG
The streets lie empty;
our cities appear deserted,
and our church buildings are shuttered.
But You see our silent tears.
You weep alongside us as we long for normalcy
and freedom from this palpable fear and anxiety.
Jesus, be near to us.
This virus does not discriminate
between young or old, healthy or sick.
But we take comfort that Your love and peace
does not either,
and that You are close to anyone
who calls upon Your name.
Jesus, be near to us.
The walls of our homes feel constricting as
day after weary day goes by.
Our eyes grow dim and dull with
too much screen time, too much news,
too much everything.
But we close our eyes, now, and invite You in again:
Jesus, be near to us.
Come, Lord Jesus – be near to us.
IF NOW IS A CAVE, MICHELLE FURUMORI
if now is a cave
and silent chaos answers
our why in the dark maybe we abide
in a mountain we can’t seeand you are still here
IF NOW IS A CAVE 2, MICHELLE FURUMORI
if now is a cave
and we hold the bear’s baton
would you grant us strength
move us to be still
in hibernation we run
through walls with your legs
A PRAYER FOR GRIEF, LESLIE ROBERTS
O Lord, who hears our cries,
who is never deaf to our weeping,
nor blind to our tears:
We come to you with many griefs,
sorrow laid heavy on our hearts:
for loved ones who are ill or isolated in uncertainty
for those trapped in abusive homes
for livelihoods that have disappeared
for friends and family we cannot be near
for goodbyes said at two meter’s distance
for wedding plans suddenly overturned
for funerals we cannot attend
for graduation stages uncrossed
for the loneliness we feel
A time of silence for lament of these things and others
Surely you have borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows
our fears and our anxieties
are not alien to you.
Lord, in our brokenness and our lament is your presence;
in the midst of our fear is your peace.
You, our ever-present help in trouble, are here.
For as long as this season shall last,
you will not leave us or forsake us.
You, O Lord, are our Rock.
Your still, small voice our refuge.
In the unknown waves of this storm, still you anchor us.
In the roar of the tempest, still you sing to us.
In the midst of our grief, may we know you still more closely.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
BLESSING AND BENEDICTION, SUE NICKEL
The Sanctuary Team is located in Vancouver, BC. You can learn more about our team on our staff page.