Lockdown with the Lord

Every day during the lockdown, we have shared a special prayer. Here are a few of them to remind us that we turn to God in all the events of life and pray for those who need support.

MONDAY

Let’s turn to the Lord at the start of every new week. The Lord will be there to welcome us into it and carry us through it.

This picture was taken on Saturday morning, the day after we discovered that the rate of coronavirus infection was increasing among us at an alarming rate.

Let us pray today for our city, Melbourne. Our community, Melbourne. Let us remember all the people who make up this colourful slice of humanity, especially those who are struggling and those who are helping people in any kind of need.

May we all find peace and sacred purpose on challenging days. May we all this day find something to make us smile, something to warm our hearts. May we all this day be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

Amen.

TUESDAY

We are spending more time indoors than usual. Let’s make sure we get out for some exercise. It is really important. When we do, let’s keep our eyes open to the beauty of the world!

God of beauty, We thank you for our world, especially for birds. They go about their business and don’t seem to realise How beautiful they are. Jesus asked us to consider the birds of the air. He said that they don’t sow or reap. But that not even a king looked as majestic. Jesus’ message was not to worry too much. To accept each day. To deal with its challenges honestly. To give thanks for the gift of life in all its forms. To get on with life whatever this day presents. May we all take his advice!

Amen.

WEDNESDAY

Wherever we may be, let’s thank God for the gift of a new day. Here is a picture of a sapling growing from an old stump on the river bank below the Cummings Building at Heyington. It was taken yesterday as the old river keeps its steady pace. Loving God, we thank you for the gift of new growth. For the people who never give up.

For the ones who look after the sick. For those who insist that black lives matter. For those who bring food to those who can’t leave home. They are all like saplings, small plants that point to a bigger future. We thank you for the call to new growth in our own lives, To new commitment, to fresh honesty, to deeper love. Be with us as we begin to branch out. Make us stronger.

Amen.

THURSDAY

Let us all try to make the best of whatever situation we are in. Today’s prayer asks us to pause for a moment to think about the spider’s web. The picture below was taken on an icy morning near Canberra during the holidays. A spider’s web is a thing of great beauty but also fragile. Just like our lives. A spider’s web is the result of a lot of hard work. Just like our lives. A spider’s web can get damaged. But the spider is never discouraged. The spider just gets back to work and tries again. Just like us. A spider’s web is easy to overlook. Sometimes that is just like us. Let us pray that we can appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Let us pray that this term we can appreciate the beauty and wonder of our own lives and the lives of those around us. Let us give thanks for small moments of grace.

Amen.

FRIDAY

This picture was taken this week outside the chapel. The trees are already budding. Sometimes these trees seem rather optimistic. They are ready for Spring although we are only halfway through Winter! Today let us all pray that we can be people of such hope.

Loving God, we thank you for the promise of Spring And of new life. We ask you to be close to everyone struggling with the lockdown, especially the old and young children. We pray especially for those who would love to be close to someone But who can’t be by their side right now. Today’s psalm says

I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console them, give them gladness for grief.

May we this day bring gladness to another person.

Amen.