We are all in the same boat, but we’re not all in the same storm.

For some people it’s sprinkling. This is a break.

It’s a breather. It’s a pause in the “normal.”

It’s time to reconnect with family and slow down.

Honestly, it’s kind of peaceful.

For some it’s a storm. It’s a bit scary. It’s disruptive.

It’s enough to make you stay up and watch the news and worry.

For some it’s a hurricane. It’s tearing at the boards and pulling off the roof.

It’s washing them out to sea. It’s dark and unknown.

It’s life-changing.

It’s not wrong to be enjoying the sprinkles or enduring the storm,

But please don’t negate the difference.

Rest with family, but don’t minimize the hurricane engulfing your neighbor.

Laugh at a meme, but get on your knees for your friends.

Get in someone else’s storm.

* Author unknown

For some, mental health has been a lifelong battle, and the current situation is just one more

wave that you did not need. For others, you maybe haven’t struggled so much here before, but

you are struggling now and feeling some big waves, mentally and emotionally.

If that’s you today, we want to offer a prayer for the restoration and protection of Faith, Hope,

and Love:

God we lift before you those who are feeling a complete loss of peace, of control,

Of stability, or even feeling like they know which way is up

Would you speak peace to the fear, anxiety, worry, and panic

Would you give the gift of trust, to believe deep down in our souls

That you are close, that you are good, that you alone are God

Father, give us faith to trust you in the midst of this storm

We pray for those who have lost or are losing their sense of hope

Who feel this thing will never end, who worry they won’t make it through

Those feeling helpless, listless, lost and adrift

Restore to them a sense of courage, of life, of possibility

Turn on the light, bring new energy, push out despair

Jesus be the hope we hold onto in the midst of this storm

We pray for those who are suffering uniquely under the loneliness of isolation

Those cut off from friends and family, and the tangible expressions of love they crave

Would you increase the sense of your presence and affection in the solitude

Would you remind us daily that we are not alone, that we are tenderly held

Would you continue to incarnate your love in us, for others

Spirit of God, let your love bind us together in the midst of this storm

If you are personally struggling, we encourage you to pray these next lines on behalf of

yourself. If you are not personally struggling, know that people you care about are; pray on

behalf of them as an act of love and faith:

Jesus hold me (them) steady

Jesus keep me (them) close

Jesus break the darkness

Jesus be the light

Amen