Prayer in the Economy: April 2021
April 12th saw significant changes in our highstreets, with non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers, amongst others, reopening. Whilst caution is required these signs of new life are to be welcomed, not least for their positive impact on jobs and the economy. With many chaplains visiting in the retail sector plans for resuming chaplaincy are well advanced, in some places, and being considered in others.
In our prayers we give thanks for these new beginnings, pray for those returning to work, and others still furloughed, and for chaplains as they look to resume visiting.
Almighty God, in this Easter season, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, we give thanks for signs of new life in our economy. We pray for all now returning to work; for safety and a new sense of purpose and fulfilment in all they do.
Guide and bless chaplains as they resume visiting to offer your compassion and love to all they meet in work, especially the most anxious. Help them to bring to others your hope, peace and encouragement, as the risen Jesus did for his disciples.
Grant to those who still face uncertainty, as furlough continues, wisdom in all things, clarity in what needs to be done and hope for the future.
This we ask in the name of your risen Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Especially we pray for:
- All returning to work in our neighbourhood – in shops, restaurants, pubs and other businesses.
- Chaplains across Worcestershire – in Redditch, Pershore, Alvechurch, Kidderminster, Stourport, Upton and in the Livestock market – as they make plans to resume visiting.
- The chaplaincy team in Redditch on April 20th, the day of that team’s first visit to the Kingfisher Centre, and in Pershore where chaplains aim to restart before the end of the month.
- Those who completed the FWW Introduction to Workplace Chaplaincy just before Easter as they consider their next steps and seek God’s will for their ministry.
- Chaplains in other parts of the UK also resuming chaplaincy this month.
- Those whose work continues at risk; all still furloughed and the self-employed.
- Those experiencing mental illness through stress as a result of their employment situation.
- Wisdom to know how to reduce inequality and injustice in our global economy and safeguard the environment, especially where the impact of COVID remains high.
- Those involved with the vaccination and testing programmes, giving thanks for progress and the safety this provides.
- Give thanks for signs of hope and new beginnings.