God of mercy, who presence sustains us in every circumstance, in the midst of the violence of Epiphany and the struggle and loss of a pandemic, we seek the grounding power of your love and compassion.

In these days of violence and hateful rhetoric, we need to believe somehow that your kingdom of peace is still possible.  Give us hope and courage, so that we might not yield our days to fear, even in these dark days of winter and political uncertainty.

We pray for those who are wrapped in grief and fear because of a pandemic that seems to have no end.  Even though there appears to be a light off in the distant future, the present time continues to be a place of insecurity in so many ways. May those who have been affected by the virus, whose lives have been changed forever find comfort, solace and strength in your love and the community of faith.

We ask for sustaining courage for the days ahead; for wisdom and diligence to continue to work for your peace and for our anger and sorrow to unite in service to the reign of peace, where the lion and the lamb may dwell together.

In these days of disbelief and sorrow, open our hearts and our hands to the movements of your Spirit.

In the name of Christ, our healer and our light. Amen.

Adapted from prayers in Recovering from Un-natural Disasters by Kraus, Holyan and Wismer