At the request of Chautauqua Institution, I wrote a devotional prayer for a time of pandemic:

Jesus, you are my friend and Savior.  You know me through and through, and you are with me in every part of my life: in my sadness, anger, and fear, and in my gratefulness and joy.

Gracious Jesus, on the day of your resurrection you came to your frightened disciples and breathed the Holy Spirit into them.  Breathe into me, as you breathed into them, the same creative wind and energy that moved across the face of the deep at the very beginning of creation.

As I breathe in, I breathe in your courage and strength.  As I breathe out, I breathe out your loving-kindness and compassion.

Help me to remember that you are with me always and that every day you invite me to bear witness to your healing love.  Thank you for the people you have given me to love and for the tasks you have given me to do.  Give me the guts, audacity and resolve to stand up in the midst of a great catastrophe and to do what is mine to do.

Speak in my heart and grant me the peace that passes understanding, so that I may know in my deepest core that whether I live or die, I am yours, and you will never leave me.

— The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas
Week One 2020 Chaplain (June 28–July 3)
Missioner for Creation Care
Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts & Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ
April 13, 2020

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During this time of pandemic, Chautauqua Institution is sending out a weekly prayer from a range of religious traditions. Each prayer can be downloaded for personal use (to download the prayer card, click here).