Happy Easter!

Today is Good Friday, one of the most significant dates in the Christian calendar  ...  leading us in to the victory of Easter Sunday.

For all of us this Easter is looking very different. Our lives are in turmoil, the world is in crisis. But the Bible, in the book of Hebrews, chapter 13 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  (v8); whilst our circumstances have changed drastically, God has not! He remains ever-loving, ever-faithful, ever-compassionate. In the same book Jesus also says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (v5).  These are just some of the promises I personally hold on to during this time.

I found this prayer on the Christian Aid website, couldn't write anything better myself, and so thought I'd share it with you ...

A Prayer of Thanksgiving & Intercession

For the health workers tending the seriously ill,

For the scientists working on a vaccination,

For the researchers analysing data and identifying trends,

For the media outlets working to communicate reality,

For the supermarket workers, 

       hygiene and sanitation providers,

For the good news stories of recoveries and 

       effective planning,

For the singing from balconies by locked-down communities,

For the recognition that isolation doesn't need 

       to mean loneliness,

For the notes through letterboxes offering help and support,

For the internet and telephones and technology 

       that connects,

For the awakened appreciation of what is truly important.

Thanks be to God.

For those who are unwell and concerned for loved ones,

For those who are already anxious,

For those immune suppressed or compromised,

For those vulnerable because of underlying conditions,

For those in the 'most at risk to coronavirus' categories,

For those watching their entire income stream dry up

For those who have no choice but to go out to work,

For those who are afraid to be at home,

For those who are more lonely than they have ever been,

For those who are bereaved and grieving.

God, be their healer, comfort and protection,

Be their strength, shield and provision,

Be their security, safety and close companion.

And raise up your Church,

To be your well-washed hands and faithful feet,

To be present to the pain,

To respond with love in action,

If even from a safe distance.

God, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.