A LITURGY
FOR HEALTHCARE
WORKERS

On Monday evening, we held a Citywide Prayer for Healthcare Workers. Elizabeth Moore wrote the following prayer for the event. Church of the City has a wonderful list of liturgies that speak to our current moment. You can find them at liturgies.nyc.

A Liturgy for Healthcare Workers
By Elizabeth Moore

Oh Healer and Restorer of life, we are weary. 
You have called us into work that, at times, feels like more than we can bear. 
We have seen a devastating amount of people die;
we have sat at the bedsides of patients struggling to breathe; 
we have held up phones for loved ones to say good-bye;
we have come home exhausted and discouraged as the end does not seem near.

God of Jacob, cast Your gaze upon us; see our sorrow and our tears.
You promised that when we pass through the waters, You will be with us; 
and though the rivers rage, they will not overwhelm us; 
and though we walk through fire, we will not be burned. 

But we have only so much energy, 
only so much compassion, 
only so much endurance 
to carry on in our own strength. 

Therefore, God of all comfort, turn and be gracious to us, for we cry to You and only You. 
Refuge and Strength, renew our trust in You until we mount up with wings of eagles.
Man of Sorrows, lead us in lament, for You are well acquainted with grief. 

When we are empty, would You lead us to Your wellspring of living water? 
When we are hopeless, would You lift up our eyes to see the unseen? 
When we are lonely, would You give us life-giving communities to remind us that we are not fighting alone? 
When we are on the front lines, would You protect us from this virus and keep it far from our bodies and families? 

Would You heal the sick, both physically and spiritually, as they cope, often alone, in bare hospital rooms? 
Would You give us the words to speak to patients and families who are grieving? 
Would You give us wisdom to discern the best treatments and ways to serve? 
Would You grant us perseverance even as we are burning out and daily bearing the suffering of others? 

We thank You for the patients who have recovered, and we grieve for those who have not.
We thank You for the researchers seeking treatments and vaccines, and we ask You to guide them in the right direction. 
We thank You for our leaders who are doing their best, and we pray for an outpouring of unity and wisdom.
We thank you for this drought, Oh Lord, though we confess that we are discouraged.

Even now, in our lament, we wait for You, more than watchmen wait for morning.
Even now, in our sorrow, we learn the way of gentleness through your humble heart. 
Even now, in our despair, we hope in a better future, believing you are making all things new.
Even now, in our weakness, we are oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

Oh God who holds our times in Your hand, 
We ask that you hasten this pandemic to a swift end.
May a period of rest, peace, and bounty follow
when the days of mourning are ended and we are restored to life. 

Amen
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* Scripture referenced in this liturgy:

Each of these liturgies was prayerfully written based on the promises of God in Scripture. We’ve listed them below with links, for those who wish to study further.

Psalm 25:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-2
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Psalm 46
Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 53:3
John 4:10
James 1:5
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Psalm 27