THE STATISTICS HAVE NAMES AND FACES
Each day we hear about more cases and more deaths. This morning (April 24) there were 867,000 cases in the US, 50,000 deaths, and 80,000 recovered.
As I have watched the numbers grow, I have felt growing anguish and anger. Anger especially at officials in Washington who responded far too cavalierly earlier this year as to the threat of the virus. Anger at the protesters who have endangered others by gathering to to protest the closures. Anger at who else? God perhaps for creating a world where a virus can decimate civilization.
I once heard a professor talk about this. He said “It’s all right to be angry at God for the suffering and evil of the world. He can take it. God knows what it’s like to suffer. Look at the Cross.”
I understand that my anger is normal, but I know it’s not very helpful. It doesn’t do anybody any good to be angry at Washington or at the “Open Up” protesters or even God, although I hope my anger gets God’s attention and causes God to work harder to inspire medical researchers to find a vaccine.
My anger and anguish are especially acute today because two members of my church have just been diagnosed with the Corona Virus–a mother and daughter. The mother has significant underlying health issues which has made her particularly vulnerable to the virus. The daughter is young and healthy. So here’s hoping and praying for both.
The statistics have faces now. Two more added to the 867,000. These two women are members of my church. I am their pastor. I care for them both. I feel helpless to know how help them. I only know one thing, and that’s to pray:
Most Merciful and Triune God,
We come to You in our weakness.
We come to You in our fear.
We come to You with trust.
For You alone are our hope.
We place before You the disease present in our world.
We turn to You in our time of need.
Bring wisdom to doctors.
Give understanding to scientists.
Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity.
Bring healing to those who are ill.
Protect those who are most at risk.
Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
Welcome those who have died into Your Eternal Home.
Stabilize our communities.
Unite us in our compassion.
Remove all fear from our hearts.
Fill us with confidence in Your care.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Amen.