In this week's collect, we prayed for God's protection of body and soul.

Almighty God, Who seest that of ourselves we have no strength: Keep us both outwardly and inwardly; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

Four days ago, this was certainly a relevant prayer as fears were spreading faster than Covid-19. It is never inappropriate to pray for God's protection, as this prayer makes plain, but its timing this church year was so perfect that it needed no comment or explanation.

This morning's prayer for Thursday from William Loehe's Seed Grains of Prayer is likewise poignant in its timing:

Under Thy good pleasure, O Lord Jesus Christ, I submit all that I do or leave undone, my beginnings and my endings, and commend unto Thee my body and soul, my kin and acquaintances, together with all my possessions. By the guardianship of Thy holy angels Thou hast this night protected me; and, I beseech Thee, condescend this day also to guard and defend me from all evil. Vouchsafe unto me and all my relatives and friends whatsoever we need unto the maintenance of this temporal life; and, as a merciful father, care for us. Save us from war and pestilence, from famine and from evil trials, and, at last, receive us into Thy eternal kingdom, the heavenly paradise. Amen.

We need not be panicking now.

On the contrary, our faith in Christ ought to bolster us--not with a foolish, fatalistic faith suggesting we merely "let go and let God" but with a childlike, humble faith that encourages us to say our prayers, wash our hands, say our prayers, and love our neighbors.

More on this same idea to follow shortly...

Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash