One of our daughters is Chief Operating Officer for NHS England. She and her husband both have the virus. So this is personal as it is for so many of us. What stands between any of us and tragedy is the NHS and our faith in God. So let us pray.
Gracious God, like never before we thank you for the NHS. We thank you for those enlightened politicians who first set it up after the war. We thank you that it's the part of Britain we're most proud of. Above all, we thank you for what the NHS is doing now. Which means we thank you for the junior doctors and experienced consultants so skilled. For compassionate nurses scared but dedicated the heart of the ward. For ambulance crews there in minutes swift, and professional. For porters who get equipment to the right place at the right time, and cleaners who clean over and over again. For lab assistants and scientists working away behind the scenes, testing, testing, testing.
For those who do 100 other jobs, and we never know their names. Lord, thank you for all these people, bless them. Hold in your strong love all those heroes of the day. Our family members working their socks off. The Filipino nurse walking home wearily carrying her ready meal. The young doctor down the road setting off early each morning, the retired nurse next door who's gone back to the hospital. Lord, this is our NHS, your NHS. Maybe never take it for granted. May we never begrudge the taxes we spend on it. Maybe always be thankful.
Today may the NHS be held in the palm of your hand. For Jesus sake and for ours. Amen.
Bishop John Pritchard former Bishop of Oxford from North Yorkshire
As we come to pray today, we pray to Christ who is the master physician who cares for every part of us and who cares for the carers So let's pray.
Father, we are so blessed to have such superb medical care in our country, particularly at this time. We pray for all who serve, particularly those who serve long, long hours with limited equipment. We thank you for them, pray for your strengthening for them. Pray for all who at this time are receiving care.Bless our nurses, our doctors, our chaplains, bless those who work in our laboratories who drive our ambulances and other vehicles. And Lord, we pray that in your mercy, you would protect this nation and the whole world from the coronavirus which is spreading at the moment.
Christ the master physician, surround our NHS with your care we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
The Rt Revd Mark Tanner, Bishop of Berwick
I'm personally grateful for the NHS as 15 years ago, they saved my life when I suffered with pneumonia. Having served as a hospital and hospital chaplain in Africa, I give thanks for all involved in health and healing.
Heavenly Father, we pray for all who work in health care throughout the world. We pray, especially for those who work in the National Health Service in this country. We commend them to you for your protection and support, inspire and sustain them in all that they do. Encourage and stherengthen them when they are fatigued. And grant to us all relief from this pandemic and the grace to bear our suffering through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Canon Pastor, Michael Everitt, Durham Cathedral
Our loving Heavenly Father, we praise you that that is what you are, that you're a God who is pouring out your love for us and God who holds the heavens and the earth in his hands. And so we particularly pray for the NHS at this time. We think of those we know who are working on the frontline in hospitals and surgeries.
Thank you for the hospital here in Barrow and the work that they are doing. Thank you for that sacrificial love that gives us a glimpse of, of your love for us. I pray that you would protect, you would sustain and you would use men and women across this land to be a real blessing and bringing healing in body mind and spirit. And we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Robin Ham, Grace Church, Barrow, South Cumbria
I guess I'm not the only one who stood on my doorstep and applauded our NHS and essential workers. And I know I found it a deeply emotional moment. And it makes me want to pray. And I feel a deep, deep sense of gratitude for all those who are working for our well being.
God of compassion. We are so very grateful that we can turn to you and know you hear our prayers. We pray for all those who work in the NHS, please comfort them and guide them and help them and uphold them. We pray for those searching for a cure - give them help and insight and understanding. We pray for doctors and for nurses and all who are caring for the sick at this time. May they know your protection, resilience and help.
We remember all NHS staff and ask that you would particularly support those who are fearful and anxious at this time. Lord may all have the resources that they need in order to do their job to the best of their ability. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Rev Elaine Lindridge, Newcastle District Evangelism Enabler
Gracious God, we thank you for the National Health Service for the imagination and purpose of those who in the grim reality of global conflict in the 1940s saw the need for health provision free at the point of need, and paid for by all. With the roots of such a vision deep in Christian compassion, and a belief in the dignity of all. It means that today those who seek healing and help from the health service do so without anxiety about paying medical bills. And at a time when so many are anxious, it becomes a means of your gracious provision.
We thank you that throughout the NHS there are women and men from so many backgrounds, with their heritage in so many different countries. Yet all focused upon the huge task of riding out this crisis and caring for those in gravest need. Protect them all we pray, and grant them the stamina to endure these days of unprecedented challenge.
We ask for your comfort for those who mourn the many who could not be saved by medical skill. In their distress drawn near. We especially ask for your presence to be close to those whose colleagues in the medical and nursing professions contract Covid-19 and become seriously ill or even die from the disease. Lord, be our rock, our redeemer and deliver us in these times of crisis. As we trust in your unfailing love and mercy. And strengthen all who work to care for the sick and protect the healthy. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Paul Goodliffe, General Secretary of Churches Together in England
Loving God in these times of uncertainty we cast ourselves on you. We know that you work for the good of those who love you. And Father, now we pray for our nation and this world. That those who need comfort would find it from your loving arms. That those who are in loss and mourning would get comfort from you and from others. That those who need your help in these trying times, whether ill or isolated, or lonely or grieving would sense your hand upon them. And what we pray for them we pray for ourselves. Draw near to us loving Lord. Support us and comfort us and give us strength and now and in all the days ahead. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Reverend Dr David Southall, chaplaincy team leader at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
