On March 31st, Irshad Ali suggested that we compile a list of prayers from various religious traditions. The list would be, in part, a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. I thought it was a great idea and so I solicited prayers and quotations from core members of the Ventura County Interfaith Community. Below are their responses:
In Troubled Times
Responsive Reading
By Rev. Stephen M Shick (Unitarian Universalist)
This resource can be read by a single reader, or responsively between a leader and the congregation.
From the loneliness of troubled times, we come
To discover that we are not alone.
Into the dwelling place of togetherness, we come
To collect remnants of hope.
From fear that all is lost, we come
To discover what will save us.
Into the comfort of each other’s arms, we come
To feel the strength that has not yet vanished.
From darkness, we come
To wait until our eyes begin to see.
Into the refuge of fading dreams, we come
To remove illusions and focus new visions.
From despair that walks alone, we come
To travel together.
Into the dwelling place of generations, we come
To pledge allegiance to being peace
and doing justice.
Submitted by Willie Lubka, Unitarian Universalist
Philippians 4:6 (New International Version)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Submitted by Tim McDonell, Evangelical Christian
A quote from Nichiren Daishonin
Just as flowers open up and bear fruit, just as the moon appears and invariably grows full, just as a lamp becomes brighter when oil is added, and just as plants and trees flourish with rain, so will human beings never fail to prosper when they make good causes.
Submitted by Rosalyn Wolin, Nichiren Buddhist
Psalm 23 (New International Version)
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Submitted by Tim Helton, Episcopalian
A quote from Habib Ali al-Jifri
“I asked my teacher and spiritual guide Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah (God) protect him): How do we reconcile between calmly relying upon Allah (God) and taking the means in confronting this pandemic?” He replied without hesitation: “Like growing a tree: you plant a seed and water it and take care of the tree as it grows but you rely completely upon Allah in attaining the fruit.”
Submitted by Irshad Ali, Muslim
A quote from Bukhari, Muslim narrated by Ayesha Radi Allahu anha
“O Allah (God)! Remove the harm, O Lord of humanity! Heal this ailment and You are the One Who heals. There is no healing except Yours, [Cure] with a healing which does not leave any disease behind”
Submitted by Irshad Ali, Muslim
A quote from Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah
“Show us you favor and save us from the torment of scorching winds, and protect us from epidemics and calmatives. We ask you for forgiveness and well-being. And may God’s blessings and salutations be upon our Master Muhammad, his family and companion.”
Submitted by Irshad Ali, Muslim
On Quaker Founder George Fox’s Memorial Tablet
“Let your lives speak.”
Submitted by the Conejo Valley Quaker Worship Group’s Convener, Percy Hicks-Severn
Pandemic written on March 11, 2020 by Rev. Lynn Unger
What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath— the most sacred of times? Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling. Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is. Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life. Center down. And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart. Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful. (You could hardly deny it now.) Know that our lives are in one another’s hands. (Surely, that has come clear.) Do not reach out your hands. Reach out your heart. Reach out your words. Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch. Promise this world your love– for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live.
Submitted by Betty Stapleford, Unitarian Universalist
A quote from Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
“Do not lose hope in adversity and complain that God singled you out for punishment, remitting others guilty of worse sins. Your present state could very well be His intent to elevate your spiritual station; or He could just be testing your faith. Every day that you preserve, you grow closer to perfection. Thus your present despair may be the beginning of an infinite blessing.”
Submitted by Irshad Ali, Muslim