Prayers for others

Over the last few months, we have all been particularly preoccupied with the heartbreaking events taking place in Ukraine.

A group of elderly ladies in Kyiv, Ukraine, decided that they should pray for peace. They gathered in one of the city squares, held hands with one another, knelt in the snow, and prayed.

When asked if that was enough, one replied that after prayers, they went home, or to other places and engaged in activities that brought a practical input to peace. Having prayed, they saw themselves as being called to be a part of the answer to their prayers.

This has been my experience as I work in residential aged care.

Weekly, formally, and in informal ways, I have prayed alone and with others for love and strength in these COVID-19 times.

When asking for prayers in our weekly worship at residential sites, there are always requests to pray for the well-being of family and friends, and for the various staff who care for residents on a daily basis.

We regularly pray for kitchen staff, carers, cleaners, nurses and administrative staff. We pray for their health and safety, and their family members too. We pray that we may be sensitive and supportive of those who care for us, and each other. Then, we make a commitment that each one of us shall so live with the other residents that our prayers come to fruition.

Of course, we pray for our state, nation and the world. And we acknowledge that our prayers for each other and those who live and work at all sites call us to be a part of the answer to that for which we pray.

The photo reveals that it speaks more than a thousand words. As the friend who sent it to me said, “may we take strength and guidance from those who kneel in the snow to pray.”

Rev Dr Bruce Grindlay
Coordinating Chaplain, Resthaven Aberfoyle Park and Marion