We’re called to trust where God is taking us even if we’re scared and don’t know where we’re going. As Catholics, we turn to God in times of fear and uncertainty as we do in times of joy and celebration. Let’s join together as we pray for God’s heart of love, mercy, and truth to dwell in us and show us how to face the challenges posed by the new coronavirus. 
 
Pray for people who are infected with COVID-19 or facing quarantine. 
 
Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses. 
 
Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.  
 
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”. —Philippians 4:6 (NIV) 
 
Pray for people at higher risk of developing the disease. 
 
Dear Lord, we lift to You our concern for people who are more likely than others to become severely ill from COVID-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Protect them from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty and, for many, preventive isolation from loved ones. 
 
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”. —1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) 
 
Pray for medical professionals, caregivers, and researchers responsible for fighting the new coronavirus. 
 
God, as more people get sick, healthcare workers and first responders are working longer hours with fewer supplies and with more risk of contracting the new coronavirus themselves. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring Your protection upon them as they work with patients. Multiply their supplies so they have the protective items needed to stay safe on the job.  
 
Inspire and invigorate the research doctors developing better tests to diagnose the virus, create vaccines to prevent it, and identify protocols to eliminate the disease’s spread. 
 
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. —Psalm 23:4 (NIV) 
 
Pray for leaders responsible for making decisions about the new coronavirus. 
 
Father, we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. We pray that they communicate clearly, truthfully, and calmly — with each other and with the public — and that their messages are received and heeded. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection. 
 
“He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers …”—2 Corinthians 1:10-11 (NIV) 
 
Pray for business owners and families facing financial stress. 
 
Jesus, we thank You for Your faithfulness in how you have guided and equipped people in their jobs and have provided in the past. It can be scary and overwhelming not knowing how bills and obligations will be met or to not be able to provide for families. As people feel financial strain during the uncertainty, bring them comfort and peace, reminding them that You are there for them. Provide for them in their times of need. 
 
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. —John 14:27 (NIV) 
 
Pray for grocery store workers and delivery drivers. 
 
Lord, we are so grateful for all the people who continue to work each day so that people are able to eat. We ask that You bless and protect them as they serve. Give them grace to handle disgruntled customers during supplies shortages. Keep their bodies healthy as they unload and stock boxes of supplies. Keep their cars and trucks running smoothly as they deliver needed supplies and food people have ordered online. And please protect them all from contracting the new coronavirus. 

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”. —Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) 
 
Pray for the disease to stop spreading. 
 
Almighty God, we know that everything is in Your sovereign control. We ask that You keep this new coronavirus from continuing to spread. Give government officials the ability to safely handle people arriving from other countries. Help people decide to stay home instead of traveling or going out needlessly. Holy Spirit, remind people to wash their hands properly. And while it may be heartbreaking, comfort families as they decide to keep their distance from elderly or other high-risk family members. 
 
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea …” —Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV) 


SOURCE: https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/prayers-people-affected-new-coronavirus 

Photo by Anuja Mary Tilj on Unsplash

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." - Attributed to Mark Twain 

We are all fools on our own, especially when we try to manage our own lives.  Those are the times when we open our mouths and quickly become gullible to displaying our own foolishness. 

But when we pause, turn to the Lord, and seek his help and guidance, our works are in tandem with His.  Our foolishness does not prevail. 

Lord, let me turn to you to save me from myself.  Amen.

“Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?” 
 
Some people may remember a song that was popular almost 50 years ago.   In 1971, a group from Canada called the Five Man Electrical Band had a hit called "Signs".  The song is about how signs are always telling us what to do, and the chorus says, “Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?” 
 
Almost five decades later, the question it poses — “Can’t you read the sign?” — is one we might ask ourselves today.  We are going to be signed with ash in the sign of our Faith, the cross.  “Can’t you read the sign?” 
 
The cross of ashes means that we are making a commitment — that we are undertaking Lent as a season of prayer and penitence, of dying to ourselves.  It also describes our human condition: it says that we are broken and need repair; that we are sinners and need redemption.  Most importantly, it tells us that, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are to carry our crosses.  It also reminds us that we are dust and ashes — mortal human beings carrying an immortal soul. 
 
By receiving the ashes, we confess that we are sinners in need of the mercy of God, and we ask forgiveness for the various ways in which we have hurt our brothers and sisters.  Lent is a time for forgiveness and reconciliation.  Let us allow the spirit of forgiveness to work its healing influence in our parishes and families. 
 
Merciful Jesus, lead me into this season of Lent with a heart enlarged for prayer and penitence.  Help me to “read the sign” and re-commit to my commitment to You.  Amen.
 
 
SOURCE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-02/ash-wednesday-commentary.html

"Jesus answered [him], 'You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above.'" - John 19:11 

We have heard a lot over the past weeks and months about an "abuse of power."  While the power of government leaders throughout the world is worthy of wisdom and direction, our ultimate power is from above as Jesus tells those desiring to decide his fate. 

May we commit to never abuse the power of God, and instead follow his wisdom and direction. 

O King of Heaven and Earth, your almighty power is true.  Amen.

"No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." - a friend to Fr. A. Juguilon, OSC 

You may be the brightest and most knowledgeable person in your field, in your workplace, or in your home.  People may turn to you for advice and help.  You may be able to recite every statistic from the latest baseball game, or document every step in a complex procedure. 

But do you care?  Do you show people that you care?  Is your concern for others genuine and more noticeable than the actions you take or the words you speak? 

O Lord of Mercy, help me to be like the Good Samaritan and show people I care.  Amen.

"You may be the only gospel another person reads." - a familiar saying 

Have you read a good book lately?  Did you tell another person about the good book you read?  Did you hear about the good book that someone else read? 

Novels, short stories, science fiction, essays, biographies, romance, history.  There are all kinds of books to read, from every genre and from every age. 

But YOU may be the "book" that another person reads.  You are the character, you are the story: the way you live and work and speak and love. 

Are you a good read? 

Father, write your story on the pages of my life so that others may see Your gospel through me.  Amen. 


Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

"... and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed." - Matthew 14:36 

Oh, how I wish I could touch the tassel on His cloak and be healed.  To feel the power released by Him and enter into me would be so warming. 

We all have issues and problems and worries and concerns.  Just let me touch You so I can be healed. 

Jesus, heal me.  Amen.

"The prophet went on and waited for the king on the road, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes." - 1 Kings 20:38 

It seemed like a good idea.  In order to compensate for a sore toe, just ditch the tennis shoes and walk the treadmill in sandals.  Well, now there's band-aids decorating my blistered soles! 

Sometimes the choices we make aren't so smart.  How often do we place bandages on our "blistered souls"?  We try to cover up our mistakes, our hurtful actions, our transgressions, our ridicule.  We don't want to expose our scorn to others. 

Remove the bandage and free yourself in the Sacrament of Confession. 

Divine Physician, let my soles walk openly toward your mercy.  Unveil the goodness in my heart and heal my soul of all guilt and shame.  Amen.

OMG!  The butterfly landed on my hand in the backyard.  How cool is that!!  I could feel it tickling the back of my hand.  And, then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone. 

Do you have a moment when God was so close to you, you could touch him and feel His tickling deep in your soul? 

O God, come close to me.  Enable the Holy Spirit to come alive in my soul.  Amen.

"He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." - Matthew 3:12 

Some call them weeds; others call them flowers.  God says He will come and separate the wheat from the chaff. 

What if I'm "having a bad day" when He comes?  What side will I be on? 

Everlasting God, may You always see favor in me.  Amen.