Prayer in the Time of Corona
by Christine Clark
I want to reach out to you, God.
But part of me feels like you might say,
“Oh, it’s you. It’s been a while. This must be the time to reconnect because at least tens of thousands of people have reached out during the last month—people I haven’t heard from in not what I would call ages, but a long time.”
I hesitate because I am one of those people. I know I’ve been in touch via the Lord’s Prayer, but God knows and I know that far too often it’s been rote. And that is not the kind of prayer I want to pray today.
I have a lack of faith.
I feel guilty.
I feel ungrateful.
I feel heartsore and weary.
I am afraid.
In that fear, I know I must step beyond all that pulls me away from God and have a glimmer of trust that God is here, that God is listening. I must let myself once again be pulled toward God.
I let myself inch toward God, and I murmur:
“Here I am.
I am afraid.
I have so many fears, little ones and big ones.
Can I give them to you?
Will you please take my fears, if only for a moment, a sunbeam’s worth of time within which I can find some peace, some relief from the chaos of my mind and the uncertainty filling the Earth right now?”
I hear these words:
“Breathe into me. Look for the light and life of all that the Earth contains and sustains. Put down your fears. Remember my words and take them to heart:
‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ Matthew 11:28–30.”
Tears in my eyes, I whisper “Thank you.” I put down my burden and step back into the Earth, less fearful and with more peace in my heart.
