The first U.S. case of COVID-19 was diagnosed Jan. 20, 2020, in a Providence hospital just outside Seattle. More than one year later, it is important to recognize the magnitude of lives lost to COVID-19. At the time of writing, we are beyond 500,000 deaths in our nation alone. For many of us there are individual losses within this hard-to-absorb number which are deeply personal.
Let’s take a moment and hold in prayer the mothers, fathers, grandparents, children, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, partners, friends and neighbors taken by the coronavirus and the countless loved ones left behind in grief.
God of all grace and providence,
You are our shepherd who walks with us through every valley.
Be with us as we remember the human impact of the pandemic in our country.
Be comfort for those who grieve.
Be strength for those about to falter.
Be love for those in division.
Be eternal rest for those who have died.
Help us trust you, follow you and love you for your goodness today and always.
Adapted from a prayer by CHAUSA.org