A Prayer To Find Strength And Hope In God's Kingdom As We Endure Restrictions That Seem To Go On Forever

 Some days it feels like this pandemic will never end, doesn’t it?  We get through one wave and things seem to be settling down and then case counts rise and before you know it, things are worse than before.  That’s certainly the case with this 3^rd wave as we locally are facing case counts and hospitalization numbers we’ve not seen at any point in the past.  Governments impose certain levels of lockdowns and find out that what they imposed wasn’t enough and add to it.  Stay-at-home restrictions are being imposed in Ontario as I write this.  We keep thinking there is an end in sight and then that seems to disappear and the difficulties seem to go on.  Will they ever end we wonder? 

Well, as distasteful as this long time in the pandemic is, maybe we need to encourage ourselves with something so much better that will never end … God’s kingdom.  Let’s be encouraged with these words that describe God’s kingdom in action in our lives when we give ourselves over into God’s care:

Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever.  The Lord can be trusted in all that he says.  He is loyal in all that he does. The Lord lifts up people who have fallen.  He helps those who are in trouble.  All living things look to you for their food, and you give them their food at the right time.  You open your hands and give every living thing all that it needs.  Everything the Lord does is good.  Everything he does shows how loyal he is.  The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help.  He listens to his followers and does what they want.  He answers their prayers and saves them.  Psalm 145:13-19

Thank you God, that Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom in which we are citizens.  Thank You that through Jesus we have been brought into a life-giving relationship with You as our Heavenly Father. 

We know that as long as we are on this earth we live as representatives of Your heavenly kingdom.  Work in us and through us today to help us become the persons You have created us to be – beloved citizens meant to bless You and be a blessing to others.   Teach us what all that means, Holy Spirit, and guide us in the ways of God, the great King of all Kings.   

Thank You Lord that living in Your kingdom is about living better in our daily lives right now as well as when we join You in Your presence after we die.  You are interested in things like our needs for food, shelter, comfort and protection, and we trust You to provide all these for us at just the right time.  You are a faithful loving god who is near us, particularly when we call out to You for companionship and help. 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Matthew 6:33

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Romans 14:17

We’ve prayed these words often Lord, but we are praying them again today because we are so easily sidetracked by the needs around us and in us.  Help us to seek You first and trust You for all the rest.

During these long days when the effects of the pandemic try to drag us down, help us to lift our hearts and minds to the better things of Your kingdom and be comforted and encouraged.  Amen