Today marks the one year anniversary of the World Health Organization's declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. In a reflection by Archbishop and Primate Linda Nicholls, she offers a prayer to mark the day:
God of infinite compassion and mercy,
Our hearts are overflowing with a flood of emotions from the past year,
Fear and sorrow and grief — endurance, relief, and hope,
For the families of all who have died, who have been unable yet to mourn,
we ask your comfort
For health care workers persevering in the battle with the disease
we ask your strength and courage,
For government and public health leaders
we ask your wisdom
For all facing the relentless uncertainties that continue
we ask your endurance and peace,
We give thanks
for the resilience discovered within us,
We give thanks
for all who continue to work to protect and care for us
We give thanks
for your unending love and compassion in our midst at all times.
As we face the year ahead
fill our hearts with that same love and compassion for our world and its needs
For in you we find all that is needed — for whatever lies ahead. Amen.
Read the rest of Abp Linda Nicholls' reflection here