Lament for a Pandemic
O God, hear our cry,
O Lord, incline your ear to us.
For the enemy is at our door
and we have hidden ourselves in our homes.
It was but yesterday that our arms reached out in love,
but today our hands carry sickness and infection.
Though we wash our hands in innocence, O Lord,
only you can make us clean.
For behold, the Lord is our helper,
the Holy One is our sure defense.
When God rains his healing upon us,
on that day, we will shout with joy.
We will raise up our hands in praise,
and we will bring our offering to his sanctuary.
O people, cast your cares upon the Lord,
and place your burdens upon him.
Call upon his name,
and let your prayer go up before him.
For the Lord is faithful to his people,
and his mercies are without number.
The Holy One will breathe the spirit of healing over us,
and on that day we will rejoice and sing.