JULY 29, 2020 | Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, NCNW National Chaplain and President of Skinner Leadership Institute
O Lord, my God, Caretaker of my soul, Sustainer of all who live, I love you my strength, my rock of safety, and my refuge in life’s storms. You promise to keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on you. When I think about the blessing of sheltering safely in place for six months, sustained by the Giver of every good and perfect gift, with a healthy body, food on my table, my rent paid, and my family safe, I find a degree of continual peace and undying gratitude in this present COVID-19 storm.
Still, O God, my heart is disturbed, my mind restless, and my spirit troubled by the 5 million people who have lost health insurance, over 4 million infected by a coronavirus, thousands of businesses closed, 50 million fellow citizens out of work, and many now mourning over 150,000 dead from the virus. My tears are unending for disproportionate infections and deaths of Black people victimized due to systemic health disparities. Like the prophet Ezekiel, on their behalf, I am standing in the gap claiming your promise to be peace in their storm, joy in their sorrow, supply to their need, and help in their time of trouble.
And, God, while I’m talking to you, may I also throw in my deep-seated concern for millionaire and billionaire leaders who have already raked in their share of our nation’s treasury, now begrudging millions of struggling, jobless, and desperate citizens emergency stimulus care to sustain them during the pandemic? The heart of the ruler is in your hand. So, I appeal to you Almighty God, to turn stony hearts into hearts of compassion, that millions of distressed Americans might find a small measure of peace in this present storm caused by an invisible, but deadly enemy. O Lord hear, not because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy, and your promise to answer those who call on you in faith. In your Holy and Righteous Name, I pray Lord, God. AMEN.