By Cedric Prakash

We come to you today
dear heavenly and loving Father
as your children, as one family:
with deep faith and a total surrender to your will

We come to you today
at a time when our world is gripped with the pandemic COVID-19
It is more than a year now :we are tired, afraid and uncertain
Thousands(including our loved ones) have died everywhere and many more are affected

We come to you today
trusting in your loving providence
fully assured that you care for all of us
and that you will protect us from every danger

We come to you today
imploring that you heal all those who are affected in any way
that you comfort all those who have lost a loved one
and give the much-needed hope to the faint of heart

We come to you today
praying that you bless all the scientists, caregivers and the support staff
those in authority, those entrusted with our well-being
and all who are giving of their best to address this serious reality

We come to you today
pleading for the humility to be cautious and prudent
to be responsible citizens and not gamble with the lives of others
to be able to discern the truth from the false and not be spreaders of fake news or the virus

We come to you today
asking for your mercy on the poor ,the vulnerable and the excluded
the daily wage earners, the migrants, the unemployed, the hungry
those who are lonely, aged, infirm and who are unable to cope with this pandemic

We come to you today
thanking you for your blessings and seeking your strength
that in spite of all our fears and the difficulties we face
we may only see and accept your hand at work today
Mary our Mother, Health of the Sick
intercede for us, to Jesus your loving Son!

Amen

(Composed by Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash on March 28, 2020, and revised on April 15, 2021)