Prayer for the Light of God’s Presence at Menno Place

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From Menno Home Chaplain, Ingrid Schultz (written while on isolation):

PRAYER FOR THE LIGHT OF GOD’S PRESENCE AT MENNO PLACE

The news of COVID 19 at Menno Home came in the midst of Diwali, the 5 day festival of lights, celebrated by many of our staff.  Diwali signifies light overcoming darkness.  Next Sunday, November 29, is the beginning of Advent, the 4 weeks before Christmas, when we remember God’s light coming into the world in Jesus, whose arrival is foreshadowed by these words:

By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)

We need that light and peace at Menno Place right now.  As we pray for Menno Home East 2 residents and staff and for our whole campus of care, let us pray for God’s healing light overcoming COVID 19.  Let us also pray that we can be bearers of God’s light and peace as we care for residents, their families and fellow staff.

Please join me in this prayer for Menno Place (adapted from a prayer by Carol Penner):

Great God, you are our light and our peace, an ever-present help in times of trouble, and that’s why we’re praying now.

We are troubled by COVID 19 coming to Menno Home East 2 and we’re worried things are going to get more troubling as cases of the virus are increasing in care homes across BC.

We pray the light of your presence with our front line staff who care for residents on East 2, and across our campus of care.

Protect them and grant them the peace, wisdom and courage to do their work.

Keep them safe.  

Be with our leadership team and Fraser Health officials, with Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix as they make decisions for the common good.

We pray for your healing light, comfort and peace for our residents and their families in this worrying time.

Help us all to be kind to one another and to be calm as anxious times can make us snappy.

Thank you that your love is also contagious and stronger than any virus.

Thank you that in this Advent season we remember that Jesus came to bring us the light of your love in the midst of darkness, hope in the midst of despair and peace in the midst of anxious and unsetting times.

Help us all to be bearers of your light, love, hope and peace at Menno Place.

Amen.