As we wrote earlier, the Lutheran World Federation joins the call by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar for a worldwide prayer on 14 May. We are adding the text of the LWF prayer in Latvian (the intercessory prayer of 19 March).
A prayer in an emergency situation
In a time of restrictions and social distancing, when the body of Christ cannot gather together, we come together through the Holy Spirit wherever we are – in a house, a flat, a room – and call upon You. Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
Grant courage and wisdom to governments and to the leaders of local authorities, that they may implement public health measures for the well-being of all citizens and intensify efforts to stop the spread of the virus that threatens every human being. Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
Breathe a spirit of love and self-discipline into your church, so that the church may continually encourage and call for the observance of the rules and restrictions for the well-being of all people. Strengthen our witness to be examples of compassionate restraint. Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
God, have mercy! Heal the sick, strengthen the elderly and the vulnerable, protect everyone from the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
God, have mercy! Support and protect all medical workers and everyone who serves the sick and those at risk of infection. We especially remember refugees and those who serve them in this time. Strengthen every agency that provides support to public health. Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
God, have mercy! Comfort and gladden those who are alone, isolated, weighed down by feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
God, have mercy on the whole human family and on Your creation; hear especially our prayers for the particular situations that we now, without words, tell You in the silence of our hearts (…) Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
Fill the heart of every person with trust in Your grace, which frees us and binds us together into one community, in the body of Your Son Jesus Christ. Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
Send us Your Holy Spirit. Renew Your church in prayer and in solidarity with all her neighbours. Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
Remember in Your mercy all those who have died and who will die today (a pause of silence). Hear our cry, O God,
Hear our prayer.
We pray this in trust in Your great compassion and Your unconditional promise always to be with us.
Amen.
Prayer – download the .pdf file
Translated from English. LLSTA.
Source: The Lutheran World Federation