In response to reaching the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are encouraging us to join in a daily prayer for the nation.
The Most Rev Justin Welby and the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell invited people to ‘reflect on the enormity of this pandemic’ in an open letter to the country.
Download a PDF of the open letter from the Church of England’s website
Starting on 1 February, people are invited to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6 pm each day.
The Bishop of Warrington said,
“The news that we have exceeded 100,000 deaths in our nation, due to Covid-19, is utterly heartbreaking. It raises very many questions and concerns and invariably it will impact anxieties and fears.
“The news that we have exceeded 100,000 deaths in our nation, due to Covid-19, is utterly heartbreaking. It raises very many questions and concerns and invariably it will impact anxieties and fears.
“As a diocese, we are not being prescriptive as at other times through this pandemic. Instead, whatever time and wherever the place, please do find a few quiet moments each day to reflect upon the devastating effects of Covid-19 upon every individual, whatever our circumstances; upon lives and livelihood; and upon all who grieve the loss of someone they hold in their heart, and enjoin your prayers with those of all the saints. And please encourage friends, family members or colleagues to pray, too.”
“Each number is a person: someone we loved and someone who loved us,”
The Archbishop of Canterbury.
You can find out more about the Prayer for the Nation resources the Church of England have produced on their website.
Including daily prayer themes, which are available as PDF downloads
Videos of Prayers for the Nation can be found on the Thy Kingdom Come YouTube channel.