Merciful and gracious God, as the COVID-19 pandemic persists, and the natural disasters of fire and flood continue to impact the lives of so many, we ask You to be present with us in our grief—
Grief for those who have lost loved ones and property;
Grief for health care workers, firefighters, and other essential workers risking their lives to protect us;
Grief for all we have to let go of as we strive to adjust to a new kind of normal.
Loving God, help us to reach beneath our grief to discover the creative force of life buried beneath our heavy hearts. May we find hope and a creative spirit to help us build anew from the ashes of death and destruction. May we experience healing and restoration as we give the best of ourselves for our fellow humans. We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.
