Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, For you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

Lord of Life,

We feel the effects of death every day. We know what it is to grieve the death of loved ones. We hear the daily reports of the havoc that COVID-19 has wreaked on the bodies of more and more people. As we rejoice to hear of those who have recovered, we grieve when we hear of those who pass away from it. Beyond that - as we face health struggles of our own, or our loved ones and friends do, and especially when it is terminal - we are sorrowful and struggle. Life is fragile.

Lord, you see this.
Lord Jesus, we see how You wept at the death of your friend.
You know our hearts, and You understand.

We see the world and all its dangers, and yet, we see You, our Good Shepherd, our Lord of life. We see the eternal life You promise, where evil and death are no more, and we see You with us in this life, our protector. When the shadows of darkness creep in, You are our light.

In our suffering, in the valley, bring us to Yourself. Help us to see that as we find it more difficult to trust ourselves, our own way, our own weakness, that as we are kept close to You, we are safe and sound, we have nothing to fear. We shall not lack safety.

“We are never so conscious of [Your] presence as when we pass through life’s valleys” (James Montgomery Boice). So Lord, as we walk through this valley, make us more aware of Your presence, Your close presence, Your loving presence, Your safe presence, Your watchful, caring presence. As we are more aware of Your presence, give us peace from our anxieties, confidence from our fears, comfort from our sorrows.

We pray this in Jesus’ saving name,

Amen.

Click here for ways that you can pray in the COVID-19 situation.