My Thoughts on 24/04/2020

It was a month ago today that we were asked by the Prime minister to stay at home. Our lovely Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, as a place of worship, has remained closed for a month now.

As I write there seems to be no end in sight to us staying at home when on Wednesday England’s chief medical officer, Chris Witty, gave more of a clear indication of how long we can expect the measures to be extended. He told the daily televised conference that social distancing measures could be in place until the end of the year unless a vaccine is found sooner – which he added was unlikely.

Up till now we had all hoped that this would all be over in a few months. With this prediction it is easy for us to get very downhearted. As we pray at this time, it is important to ask the Lord first “How do you want me to pray about this Covid-19 pandemic ?” It is too easy for us to immediately tell the Lord what we want to happen.

Perhaps we need to pray in the spirit of Samuel, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening”. In our prayer let us renew our trust in God’s overwhelming love and remember the image of Jesus in the boat asleep during the storm when the disciples shouted, ”Lord we are sinking.” Lord, deepen my trust in you at this uncertain time. Help me to know your presence in my fear and anxiety. “I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” Psalm 121

Canon Father Anthony Charlton
Canon Father Anthony CharltonParish Priest