We are all praying that the thing that keeps us from being together would come to an end, and that is a worthwhile prayer! And while we pray to be together again without the prevailing fears of this moment, we can actually pray as a means of being together—in spirit if not in body.
There are two “types” of prayers we can pray to share life, even if at a bit of a distance. The first is praying specifically, by name, for one another. It starts with willingly sharing our needs, issues, and praises with one another. This allows us to know the particulars, and if you know the particular things to pray for those in your Gospel Community, then pray those. If you don’t have particulars, or particulars for everyone, pray your sisters and brothers into a scripture. For example, one my favorites to pray people into is Ephesians 3:14-19:
Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, according to the riches of your glory, grant ___ to be strengthened with power through your Spirit in ___'s inner being, so that Christ may dwell in ___’s heart through faith—that ___, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that ___ may be filled with the fullness of you God. Amen.
The second “type” of prayer that is a means for being together, is sharing a “set prayer" together. When you pray these words, reflect on the fact that you are praying the same words, perhaps even at the same time, as your faith family. You are praying with one voice, in one Spirit, to our one Father in heaven.
A set prayer can be a passage of scripture or an “edited” or “crafted” prayer like the set prayer we are praying together this week. This prayer is adapted for our time and place from a collection of prayers written by Ernest T. Campbell for his faith family in New York City in the 1960’s-70’s.
We pray today for all who work to bring your healing to the sick and to the anxious:
doctors, nurses, and technicians;
hospital administrators and health officials;
orderlies and researchers;
dependable volunteers;
and thoughtful neighbors.
Our Father who sent your Son among us as the great physician,
grant that the Spirit of Jesus may govern and guard
all who touch our sick in any way.
May the strength of our nation be found in the generous provisions
made for those suffering—physically and mentally.
Let those of us who are a strong bear the infirmities of the week,
and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us, in our prayers, be together.