Restore us, O God

Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, 

     you who lead Joseph like a flock. 

You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, 

     shine forth before [your people]. 

Awaken your might; 

     come and save us. 

Restore us, O God; 

     make your face shine on us, 

     that we may be saved.

(Psalm 80:1-3)

We need you, O Lord.

The truth is, we always need you,

for it is in you alone

that we live and move

and have our being.

We always need you,

but sometimes the need seems

more urgent and acute to us.

Now is one of those times.

Around the world people live in fear and dread

of coronavirus COVID-19.

Invisible to the eye,

it travels from person to person

with frightening ease.

It infects, 

    debilitates,

       sometimes it kills.

COVID-19 has shut down the world.

Literally.

We really, really need you, O God.

Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,

    awaken your might, come and save us.

Please.

Have mercy, O Lord.

Especially on those who are most vulnerable:

              the elderly

        those with other health risks

             medical and health personnel

     the working parents whose children

     are now out of school

       the workers who are or who will be out of a job

   teachers and school staff 

       children, because they are ALWAYS vulnerable

      business owners who may not reopen their doors

    the poor, who have less access to health care

Have mercy, O Lord,

on all of us, on the whole world.

We pray to you, with all urgency:

   Heal the sick.

   Stop this vicious virus.

   Protect those who provide care.

   Guide our leaders with wisdom.

   Calm the anxiety in our hearts.

   Stop the panic and hoarding.

   Restore the economies of the world.

Awaken your might; come and save us.

   Cultivate compassion and kindness in our hearts.

   Show us how to reach out in love and mercy.

   Give us your peace,

   the peace that passes all understanding.

We need you, O God.

We really need you.

Restore us, O God.

Make your face to shine upon us, we pray;

   look with favor upon us – 

   upon all of us, the whole world – 

   that we will be saved.

Thank you, O Lord, in advance.

Because we know you will help us.

We know you will save us.

Thank you.

Amen.

During the season of Lent, I am "Praying with David," using prayers from the psalms as inspiration for personal prayers.