You are invited to pray with fellow Presbyters at 12 noon on Wednesday 6th May 2020

Lord, keep us under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love.

Lord at this time, our communities across Argyll are gradually adjusting to changes in life previously unheard of. And as this happens stories of fortitude, compassion and courage have emerged. Lord, as we visualise this beautiful part of the world, we bring to mind the communities we have visited and lived in. We see in our mind’s eye the larger towns like Oban, Inverary and Dunoon; the smaller communities such as Tighnabruaich, Strachur and Kilmartin; the islands including Gigha, Barra and Lismore and we recall the people who live and work there. We bring to mind the essential workers who make the community what it is and who have risen above and beyond the call of duty to sustain these communities in their time of crisis.
Lord we especially bring to mind those who have paid the ultimate price in this endeavour and today we give thanks for the life of Robert Black, a paramedic from Campbeltown who died in the line of duty protecting his local community. We pray your blessing on his family and friends as they come to terms with the price that Robert has paid for his diligence and devotion to his profession. We remember too, others who we do not know who have died on the frontline against an unseen and cruel enemy and we pray your blessing upon them at this difficult time.

Lord, we pray for all the residential care homes across our Presbytery, many of whom were cared for pastorally by local congregations who can now no longer provide visitors or support to residents. We pray for the safety of residents and staff alike at these difficult and challenging times and we especially pray for the mental well being of all those who find themselves in a vulnerable situation at this time. Some residents, as a result of their lack of understanding, will find these times especially difficult when normal routines are disturbed, and regular visitors and contact are suddenly no longer there. Lord help those who feel bewildered by all that is happening and help them seek and attain that peace of mind they crave in their later years. Lord, we pray for staff working in immensely challenging situations especially in those circumstances where residents are almost akin to family members. Lord, keep staff safe so that they can continue their caring of the most vulnerable in our community.

Lord God, we hold in our prayers the children in our communities at this time as they come to terms with new routines and situations and we especially bring to mind those children with special needs. We acknowledge the additional challenges that these circumstances bring to children who have to deal with learning difficulties and who are now separated from the usual community facilities available to them during times of normality. Uphold and sustain their parents and other carers who now need to make do with less than ideal facilities to manage the challenges these children face in their everyday lives.

Lord God, encourage and keep safe the community-based volunteers who have emerged during this time of adversity as they go about the daily tasks of life that we take for granted. We give thanks for their willingness to support their community and undertake the care of their neighbour in their time of need. We pray your blessings upon them and that they keep safe whilst undertaking their duties.

Lord as the pandemic progresses and days turn to weeks help us not to become complacent and undo all the good work to date. Remind us of the sacrifice that many have made including their own lives, to ensure our safety and health. Grant us patience that we may emerge in due course to take our places in our community and in our church pews but only when it is safe and sensible to do so.

We are not people of fear: we are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.
We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity.
We are your people God, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs
For as long as it takes wherever you call us.
Amen.