Listen to Music That Matters while you browse (opens in a new tab)

A Good Friday Prayer in a Pandemic

OIP

Our Father who art in heaven:

Here on earth it’s gotten pretty rough. Your name is still hallowed, but we have lots of questions. It’s hard to find You when there’s so much suffering and death going on. We know Your kingdom is come, but it’s hard to figure out how Your will is being done on earth when we are losing so much ground to a physical enemy we can’t even see. This can’t be as it is in heaven. You could stop this any time You want to. Don’t You want to?

Is this the consequence of our sin? Did we bring this on ourselves? Is this punishment, or is this just part of what we have to endure here outside of the garden? Forgive us for what we have done to contribute to the suffering of others. And put forgiveness in our hearts for those who have sinned against us. We are all so connected.

But Lord, hear our prayer and bring this nightmare to a quick end. We long to hug a stranger, or hear the chatter of a noisy restaurant, or the crack of a bat and the roar of a crowd.

Protect the many who are helping the sick — all the first responders. Protect those who don’t have homes to shelter in. Protect the vulnerable. And for those who are sick and are fighting this disease, strengthen their bodies; give them breath. And for the scientists and researchers who are rapidly trying to find a way to combat this enemy, give them wisdom and insight and direction to a cure.

And finally, for those who are facing death alone because there are not enough personnel and protective equipment to have their loved ones around them, may they know that Your son died alone, too, forsaken even by You, and that His death made possible their forgiveness, and that He is right now, as we speak, preparing a place where they can go to be with Him forever.

May those who are facing the possibility of death realize the possibility of life eternal, and find their hope in You. And may all of us be filled with a spirit of love and not fear, as we await the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has triumphed over death, disease and calamity of all kinds.

For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever … Amen.

OIP-1

8 responses to “A Good Friday Prayer in a Pandemic”

  1. Laura Welch

    Thanks for this!!

    Reply
  2. Kathy B

    Amen! Amen! Amen!!!

    Reply
  3. bobnearseattle

    And, Abba Father, after we have passed through this trial, let us not forget what it was like to be in the grip of uncertainty, confronted daily with our own mortality, seeing and perhaps empathizing with the suffering and death of others, not knowing from whence our help comes if not from You.
    In so doing, help us from here on to always remember those around our world faithfully serving You and Your good purposes: those blessed souls for whom our temporary suffering has been a daily reality for years if not decades; for truly they have endured the uncertainties, the threat of pain and death, isolation from loved ones, and evil torment spread through the pandemic disease of hate, fear, totalitarian regimes, and even at the hands and words of other professed believers.
    Enable us to support those souls on Your front-lines by continually remembering them daily in prayer, in gifts, and in service to them and You.

    Help us find our comfort in You but not become comfortable with the “new normal” that we’re about to embark on. Let us never become complacent anymore but actively involved with spreading Your love, compassion, mercy, encouragement, and all of Your other blessings – perhaps with a little more sense of urgency, now, since we have witnessed firsthand the brevity of life in such a large scale.

    Open our eyes, our hearts, our arms and our hands by guiding us to share the good gifts You give us to give away to others – not just when times are pleasant and our bounty plentiful but in the future difficult days that, most assuredly, are to come.

    Thank You for this day You have made and are in the process of creating. We will rejoice in it. Thank You for these days we are living in now and, also, for the remaining days You have allotted each of us. Despite the difficulties, we will rejoice and be glad in them.
    Holy Spirit, teach us to number our days and let us not squander nor take them for granted anymore. Help us to be truly grateful to You and rejoice openly and honestly in them!

    Thank you, Father, for Your Word, Your Wisdom, Your Guidance, Your Teaching, Your Instruction, Your Correction, Your Reproof, Your Rebuke, Your Punishment, Your Discipline and Disciplines.
    Please now, teach each of us Your way so we may truly know You, gain favor with You, and be the Apples of Your eye, be Your good and faithful servants.

    In Jesus’ Name: Amen.

    Chag Pesach Sameach, Shabbat Shalom, and Happy Easter everyone!

    Reply
    1. Ruth

      Wow! So great!

      Reply
  4. Ruth

    A very appropriate and thoughtful prayer for us. Thank you John for ministering to us!

    Reply
  5. Mark D Seguin

    Happy Good Friend Catch family!

    Reply
  6. peter leenheer

    Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even thoughthe flocks die in the fields, and cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation (Habakkuk 3:17,18)
    Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joyl (James1:2)

    Jesus suffered for my sins, so I consider it an honor to be able to suffer also. The enjoyment is not emotional but intellectual. As John so aptly put it “Your will be done!” Despite that I can still find it all incredible frustrating and I wish it was over.

    Reply
  7. peter leenheer

    Enjoy GOOD Friday and have a Blessed EAster!!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Powered by