A Prayer for God’s People this Lord’s Day

O God, Almighty, Merciful, Gracious, and Good: Look with mercy, kindness, favor and love upon your people. We need your help. Heal us, O God! We especially pray for Pastor Mark Wuggazer, and Pastor Jeff Doria, who are infected with the Covid-19 virus. Protect their families as well. Be with Maggie as she, too, suffers from this disease. Have mercy on your church: the people of God at St. John. Be with me as I must distance myself for a few more days from others. Let us not lose hope. Let us not look away from you, O God. Let us see your goodness, love, mercy, and healing hand in the land of the living. Give us courage, joy, faith, and hope in these days and in the days to come. In Jesus’ name; Amen.

PS: I am not at St. John this morning because I am in quarantine for the next few days (having started on Thursday). I had close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, but I am well and hopeful to be back at St. John next week for my final sermon as pastor there. I am retiring on January 31, and will continue writing, but no longer serve as full time pastor. I’m excited about how I will discover God’s plans for me these next months and years. I may be retiring from being a full time senior pastor, but I’m not retiring from being a follower of Jesus.