Praying as a Pandemic Unfolds

I've been self isolated for almost two weeks at this point.  Having grown up an only child with a heart patient father, entertaining myself quietly is one of my superpowers. I'm not nearly as distressed as my more extroverted friends by social distancing.  But I have noticed that I miss the chance to "see the light" in other people face-to-face.  When I'm out in the world, attempting to "honor the dignity of every human being" as charged  in our baptismal covenant, I'm often surprised and spiritually educated by other people.  So, my prayer life has evolved as my isolation has increased.  I find myself praying a very simple prayer for all of humanity: Lord, hold your children in the palm of your hand as we weather this crisis. Then I lift up those in my own orbit that I know need a special prayer partner right now from my family and friends, my St. Thomas family, and my Daughters of the King prayer lists.

I had a couple of insights yesterday.  I haven't posted in awhile because I've been sewing face masks to donate to my local hospital.  It came to me as I measured and stitched that my little ministry constitutes prayer; I can pray through my hands.  I can ask God to bless each person that will use one of the masks and protect him or her from harm. Amen.

An insight that just blindsided me as I was struggling to fall asleep last night was this:  This stinking little virus infects people indiscriminately. It doesn't care if you're rich or poor, attractive or homely, Asian or Italian, young or old, important or insignificant in the earthly realm.  That must be the way God sees the human family!  What more evidence do we need that we're all in this together?  None of us are OK unless all of us are OK.  Would that the leaders of the world could see through those lenses.  How much more effective could we be in fighting this unseen menace if all human life was embraced as valuable?  Instead of profiteering and fighting to maintain an old worn-out hierarchy of wealth and influence, world leaders would unite to preserve life.  That must be closer to "God's reign".  It just has to be.

A hymn I learned in children's choir ages ago has played in my head all morning:

In Christ there is no East or West,
in Him no South or North,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth. Hymn #529