a blessing for teachers in a pandemic

A blessing for teachers in a pandemic.

Oh God, I am so afraid and angry that going
back to school won’t be safe – for anybody.

Oh God, come to the help of your people
we need wisdom, and leadership,
and a sound and sensible path forward.

God have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.
Spirit have mercy

O God of limitless knowledge and power,
blessed are your teachers, who turn to You and say:
grant us the wisdom and guidance we need to meet this moment

Blessed are the teachers,
those who have been given a choice whether to teach in person or online,
and those who have been told they must return to class.
help us all in our decisions. show us what to do
show us how to move forward with prudence and care,
and how to manage each circumstance we will face.

Help us fulfill our calling to give our best gifts,
and foster deep learning.

Blessed are the teachers, the front line workers.
guard us from harm,
from the coronavirus itself,
and from scarcities that arise,
or problems that result.
Help us to meet every challenge with courage
and find answers to the questions that perplex us.

Blessed are we who ask You for Your calming presence.
and find that as teachers, administrators, and community leaders
You have already gone before. You know that way,
and You spark the alchemy of grace that is at the heart
of what is beautiful and true and good, for all.

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21

God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.

Let tomorrow slide away. Hold every so closely,
the one next and lovely thing. It is enough.

“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11