Monday, March 16, 2020

Prayer for a Pandemic by Cameron Bellm

Sharing a prayer I found on the website of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA. The prayer has been posted on church websites across several denominations. 

Prayer for a Pandemic
May we who are merely inconvenienced,

remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors,
remember those who are most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home,
remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making the rent.
May we who have the flexibility of caring for our children when their schools close,
remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips,
remember those who have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market,
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home,
Remember those who have no home.

As fear grips our country, let us choose love.

During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us find ways to be a loving embrace to our neighbors. Amen.


The author is Cameron Bellm, a Seattle mother of two young boys. Her bio: "After finishing her PhD in Russian literature, she traded the academic life for the contemplative life (well, as contemplative as chasing two small kids can be!). She is a great lover of Ignatian spirituality, Catholic social teaching, and strong black coffee. You can find her on Instagram at @krugthethinker."