Prayers for pandemic flu

Elsewhere I have outlined those steps Churches and Christians need to take in order to prepare and respond to pandemic flu. I have also prepared a simple checklist for Christians and Churches

However as Christians, part of our response must be to to pray. By praying we are accepting the sovereignty of God. Here in the UK we are in the very earliest stages. We understand how terrified our brothers and sisters in Mexico must be, together with those in the United States and other countries.

I offer as a starter this prayer:

Lord we call to you in this, our moment of pain and fear.

We acknowledge that in many developed countries we have little understanding of the curse poured upon our brothers and sisters in poor countries when health and welfare break down.

We ask you to forgive us for those times that we have ignored the cries of those who live and die in poverty and disease.

We recognise now that we too will share the distress and bereavement that is the lot of many.

Lord we ask you to comfort those who mourn.

We ask you to be with those who suffer.

We ask you to be with all who fear.

We ask that you prepare those about to exchange time for eternity.

Lord, even at this late stage we ask that this swine flu will not become the feared pandemic.

We ask you to bless the work of all those who strive to limit its spread and devastation.

We thank you for the work of those employed in the civic and health services who will work in future weeks to care for those who are sick.

Lord we ask that you will enable us as Christians and Churches to play a full part in expressing our solidarity with all who care, suffer and mourn.

We ask for the gift of your Holy Spirit in order that we may provide the spiritual support to one another: those we know, those who are strangers.

We ask this in the name of your suffering son and servant, Our Lord Jesus Christ who gave his life that we may enjoy eternal life.

Update 01/05/09: The British Methodist Church has now issued its own official advice on how churches should respond to swine flu