This pandemic has gone on for a long time and people are tired. It seems that when things settle down in one part of the world, they flare up in another. We are all aware of things that may never have entered our personal area of perception before.
This morning we share a prayer by Nadia Bolz-Weber.
“Dear God,
Everyoneโs exhausted right now: parents, activists, cashiers, people who are just now actually learning about systemic racism, delivery drivers, the unemployed, the chronically sick, ER nurses, those who fear the police, the elderly, performers with no hope of an audience any time soon, clergy, social workers, those who canโt make their rent, and everyone who has to spray something down with disinfectant for the 1,000th time.
Teach us to rest, Lord. Help us dial back our obsession with productivity. Raise up more helpers for those who are over-extended Lord – stir up the desire to serve in those who only take. Remove barriers to napping. Quiet babies for an hour so those new mamas can sleep. Make us aware of any new binge-able NETFLIX shows that might help. Give employers the will to grant extra paid mental-health days. Quiet those voices that tell us we should be doing more right now, especially the ones that come from inside of us. Teach us not to confuse respite with laziness. Increase our compassion for one another. And while youโre at it, increase our compassion for ourselves.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
AMEN.”