God of Heaven, we acknowledge you as Creator, Provider, Sustainer, Healer, Savior and Shepherd.

Lord Jesus, we know that you walked upon this earth, that you both witnessed and experienced our joys, pains, celebrations and sufferings. You gave sight to the blind, made the lame to walk, healed the lepers, gave hearing to deaf, and even raised the dead back to life.

We give you thanks for these who have chosen to dedicate themselves to this profession of healing and service. You know the work that these nurses do, the challenges that they face, and the lives that they touch.

We ask, Lord, that you would bless these hands that minister to the sick, to the suffering, to the ill, to the diseased. We pray that you will strengthen these hands and guide them. We pray that you will make them both strong and gentle.

We also pray, Lord, that you will bless these hearts. Give them courage and stamina, let them not become discouraged. In times of testing, may these hearts be pure and sincere. Bless them with compassion, with grace and with love.

We also ask, in your name, Lord Jesus, that you would bless these minds. Give them wisdom and understanding. Give them insight and awareness. Especially in the times of greatest stress and most critical testing, help them to remain calm and confident.

Help us, Lord, that we may all use our hands, our hearts and our minds to serve those in need, to lift up and encourage one another. Help us to be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Help us to quick to give aid and slow to take note of any wrong or slight. Help us to love one another and to treat others as we would be treated.

Help us to remember that whenever we show love to the least of those of your family—to the poor, to the weak, to the sick, to the suffering—that whenever we give even a cup of cold water, we show love to you.

We ask for your blessing upon these who daily show your love to others through the work that they do. We ask for your blessing upon all of us.

Amen.

H. Arnett
5/6/19