A prayer...

Today, a prayer from our friends in Shetland Church of Scotland - used with thanks:

Spirit of God, where we cannot be, you can be.
Where we cannot be -
in isolated homes, in hospitals, in Intensive Care Units -
yet you can be.

Holy One, our Comforter, 
where we cannot be,
take our place by their bedside,
and comfort our loved ones for us.
Hold their hand for us,
speak to them softly,
ease their physical pain,
and calm their fears with soft assurance
that they are surrounded and upheld by love.

Breath of life, when our breath catches in fear,
keep breathing for us,
in life, and in death, and in life eternal.
In the name of Christ, Amen.