A prayer on coming out of lockdown
by Sue Westhorp
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My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you (Isaiah 45:10b).
I’m tired.
Not just short on sleep or feeling my age.
Not the tiredness that comes from a night of celebration now that we Victorians are out of lockdown.
I’m tired.
Soul-tired.
The tiredness that comes from many months of anxiety, isolation and fear.
Tired from working in a healthcare setting where staff are exhausted and traumatised by looking after COVID patients.
Tired of being separated from family both locally and overseas.
Tired of wondering when God will fix this mess.
Tired.
And then, your voice: My steadfast love shall not depart from you.
Steadfast, in the face of all that is changing, day by day.
Steadfast, never leaving, never finding it all too hard.
Staying.
I feel my spirits lift.
My head is not bowed down.
But then comes turmoil.
Who is in, and who is out?
Who is safe to be around?
Who needs protection?
Turmoil and conflict.
I am tired, and I crave peace and harmony.
And then, your voice: My covenant of peace shall not be removed.
Okay, then. Show me how this works.
It feels too hard, trying to balance
the safety and the needs,
the rules and the soul-care.
I am tired.
Show me how, I say to the Lord who has compassion on me.
And I am tired.
And I am held.
And I am comforted.
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