Linda Hopkins Coaching

I was Chaplain to Baptist Union Council as they met this week over 2 days via Zoom which involved me leading prayers and worship at the beginning and end of each day. On Tuesday we included a time of reflection in line with others across the country to mark a year since the first national lockdown and the challenges of the pandemic. The words and prayer that I used are below, as I know some appreciated them:

Today marks one year since the beginning of lockdown and as part of this national day of reflection we are encouraged to take a minute to hold silence this lunch time. We all have been impacted this year and each in different ways. Likewise our communities and churches, individually and collectively have faced the impact of the pandemic in so many different ways. I don’t even attempt to be able to capture all of the impact of the year, but find the words from Sir Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England helpful for our focus as we reflect: “We need to reflect on the pandemic’s deep toll, mourn those we’ve lost, and mark the service and sacrifice of staff throughout the NHS. It’s also a moment to acknowledge how in adversity we saw strength, as friends, neighbours and communities have come together to help each other through the nation’s worst ordeal since the second world war. While we need continuing vigilance against this virus, the remarkable NHS vaccination programme now brings hope of better times to come.”

So, we join with others and each other to pause for a minute.

–

Prayer:

In your mercy loving God, hear our prayers. 

For those who grieve – comfort

For those who are afraid – peace

For those who are exhausted – restoration and rest

For those who struggle – companions along the way

For signs of hope, and strength, and new possibilities – we give you thanks

For all that this last year has been to us – we bring all to you, because in you we trust.

In your mercy, loving God.  Hear our prayers.