Prayers of the People - Day 3
Social Isolation
Our friend Morgan is leading prayer once again this morning, guided by the daily calendar from Dominique Gilliard. We’re grateful for Morgan and all the Black women who lead us in better spiritual health practices.
“A prayer for people suffering from social isolation, particularly those who suffer from depression or anxiety, and those who need routines for stability.” April 21
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Mark 14:34
This is what Jesus said to his disciples in the garden of Gethsemane. He knew that he was about to be betrayed, arrested, tortured and crucified. He knew that his hour had come. He would soon be ripped from the arms of his family and friends. In the hours before his arrest, Jesus begged for the presence of his closest friends. He longed for their compassion and solidarity. Yet, they weren’t there when he needed them most. They slumbered as he cried out to God alone. In Jesus’ last moments of earthly freedom, as his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he was isolated. He was cut off from the loved ones who he’d walked alongside for years. He was cut off from the crowds that so eagerly sought after him only days before.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are— yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15
The God we serve walked the earth in human flesh— felt the sting of sorrow and heartbreak, reached to the heavens for comfort. The God we worship walked the earth in human flesh— experienced the pain of isolation and despair, tasted the salt of his own tears as he prayed alone.
Many of us are carrying heavy burdens. We, too, are familiar with sorrow and pain. We are well acquainted with fear and worry. We are depressed, stressed, anxious, and oppressed. We feel trapped and the walls of our homes seem like they are closing in on us as we do what we can to slow the spread of this virus.
Some of us feel this way while balancing childcare and work obligations. We wonder how to continue under the weight of it all. Lord, we are burdened. Our knees buckle under the weight of all that we are carrying.
Some of us are watching unpaid bills pile up but have lost our main source of income. We watch our funds dwindle knowing we cannot refill the quickly shrinking pot. Lord, we are burdened. Our accounts have dried up under the weight of our expenses.
Some of us are experiencing mental health concerns which are only being exacerbated by social isolation. We are struggling. We don’t have access to the daily remedy of community, routine, and face-to-face counseling. Will we be able to afford our medication if this continues? Lord, we are burdened. Our empty homes are lonely and our thoughts scream loudly under the weight of the silence.
Others of us not only crave stability but need it in order to function. Without a routine, we are lost. Without a predictable rhythm of life, we can’t operate. Lord, we are burdened. Our focus is distorted under the weight of our ever-shifting schedules.
Where do we turn when our support networks are far from us? How do we cope when our coping strategies just aren’t available for us anymore? In this time of social isolation, we are harassed and helpless. But we turn to Jesus, the One who knows what it is to be harassed and helpless too. Our high priest was tempted and tried, isolated and abandoned. Our God is a God who understands. Our God is a God who shoulders our heavy burdens.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
We call on the Lord who is worthy of our praise. We cry to the Lord who shields us.
“The cords of death entangle me; the torrents of destruction overwhelm me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.” Psalm 18:4-5
We call on the Lord in our distress. We cry to the Lord who hears us.
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.” Psalm 18:16-17
We call on the Lord who takes hold of us. We cry to the Lord who rescues us.
“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Psalm 18:28
We call on the Lord for hope in the darkness. We cry to the Lord who lights the way for us.
Maybe you are somewhere between being caught in the overwhelming currents and being drawn out of the water. No matter where you are, no matter how far away God feels from you right now, know that the same Jesus who longed for friendship in Gethsemane longs to befriend you deeply in the midst of social isolation. There is no sweeter friendship than that of Jesus. You are seen and loved by Christ!
No matter what you are facing, no matter how defeated you feel right now, know that the same Jesus who conquered the grave has cut the cords of death that once entangled you. Your powerful enemies shrink before the name of the Lord, your God. Your victory is Jesus! Amen.
Music: God Is My Refuge- Fred Hammond // I Must Tell Jesus (feat. John P. Kee)- The New Life Community Choir and John P. Kee // What a Friend We Have in Jesus, performed by Aretha Franklin
Artwork: North&Penn (for Freddy Gray) and Echo My Moonlight by Calida Garcia Rawles // Brooklyn Suns by Patrick Dougher
Prayer Requests: https://forms.gle/n8SXo2TbySX3T2iE6
COVID-19 Prayer Calendar by Dominique Gilliard
About the Author: Morgan Burge is Associate Area Director, Metro Atlanta of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and serves as a campus minister at the Atlanta University Center (Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University) and Morris Brown College. She is pursuing a Master of Divinity/ Master of Arts in Practical Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Brandon. When she isn’t working or studying, you can find her hosting a party, having brunch with her girlfriends, or talking about her love of Atlanta.
Follow Morgan on Facebook and Instagram at @morgan.burge.