"Lord, we thank you that nothing can separate us, your church, from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus; and that, while we cannot sit face-to-face in the same room to pray together, nothing can stop us giving thanks to you; loving God: for your grace and forgiveness; for your promise of life eternal; for your protection of us and our loved-ones during this time of lockdown; for warm homes and shelter; for more food than we can eat at any one sitting; for access to your Word any time of day; for friends and helpers who are generous to us... Lord of hope we pray for the millions who are less fortunate than us today. We remember those who have lost loved-ones, in whichever country, to the coronavirus. Be their peace and strength and stay this day. Please, Lord, let us lift up to you our Christian sisters and brothers across the globe. Keep them in your grace. Grant, we pray, wisdom and skill and courage to all those who care for the sick in hospitals and in care homes during the pandemic. Keep them safe. We are so thankful to the men and women who do what we cannot. How sorry, Lord, we are for taking all of these good things for granted. Forgive us our sense of entitlement and presumption. Preserve us from going back to our old ways when all this should end. We pray that when our churches open again they will find new seekers and worshippers within their walls, and familiar ones who are ever thankful. Lord we pray for world leaders and governments who have to make tough decisions. Even though they may not know it, bless them with your great wisdom and discernment in the coming days and weeks. May they find a right balance between health and wealth. God, our Father, we pray for scientists across the world as they work to find a vaccine - give them insight so the sick can soon be treated and the virus defeated. We pray for continued co-operation between the countries of the earth. Lord, we pray now for ourselves.We pray especially for the families of Irene Alderson and our departed friend, Derek Booth. Be with them in their time of grief and sadness. Lord, for your church at Sion give us a special sense of your presence during these strange times; give us a growing feeling of fellowship to look out for each other; and a stronger faith in you, a peaceful knowledge that you are in control of all things; and bestow in our membership a deepening trust, in the seeming chaos of the world, that your purposes are always being worked out and your kingdom a day closer. Hallelujah and Amen." GB Mark