AFTER COVID

SUN 20 Father, we pray for people who are experiencing long-term effects of Covid-19: impaired physical and mental health and economic, educational and employment issues. We especially remember affected healthcare professionals, carers and other key workers who served so sacrificially. Please grant Your healing grace. Amen.

MON 21 God of comfort, we bring to You the thousands of people who lost loved ones to Covid, so often unable to be with them and say a proper ‘goodbye’. Please help them as they try to recover their lives amid ongoing grief and regrets. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

TUES 22

Lord, we pray for truth and transparency regarding the controversy, anxiety, and social concern around Covid vaccinations: how they were developed and rolled out, their requirement for all healthcare workers and other issues. Shed Your discernment and light to reveal truth and expose areas of error, deception and harm. In Christ’s name. Amen.

WED 23 God of justice, we are grieved about the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on the world’s poorest nations and the most vulnerable people in every country. Please inspire powerful international agencies and national governments to invest more generously in future healthcare to provide for the most vulnerable. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

‘Therefore, the LORD waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.’ ISAIAH 30:18 (NRSV)

THURS 24 Father, we recognise that many have found it difficult to return to normality after the pandemic and the impact of this on areas of community life. Please help churches to bring reassurance and hope, especially to Christians who now less inclined to participate in person in the mission and fellowship of their local church. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

FRI 25 Lord, thank You for all who faithfully played their part during Covid to care for the sick, protect the vulnerable, support those who could not work, keep community services and systems going and encourage people through dark times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

SAT 26 God of wisdom, please guide those who are analysing Covid-19’s aftermath and examining the actions of those who were in authority to learn lessons that will help epidemiologists, governments and societies across the world to be better prepared and ethically accountable for future pandemics. In Your mercy. Amen.

As of May 2023, the World Health Organisation reported globally an estimated 766 million cases of Covid-19 and almost 7 million related deaths. The UK has recorded a total of almost 25 million cases and 24,600 deaths. 52 million people had received a vaccine by March 2022 and an estimated 90 per cent of adults now have coronavirus antibodies. 7