Praying for Essential Workers

Praying for Essential Workers

The restrictions to ‘shelter in place’ are for those that are not essential workers. Let us consider who might be the essential workers for our best prayers. Most of these are unsung heroes that have always been diligently working behind the scenes to keep our society running all along. 

Obviously, that includes doctors and nurses. But a hospital needs lots of other staff as well to keep things going. There are those who need to work in the laundry, supply rooms, food services, janitorial, bookkeeping, maintenance, security, etc. 

There are those that work at pharmacies and their helpers. 

Recently I heard a train whistle in the distance at night. Then I remembered those that have been working that late shift so that we have products on the shelves to buy and so companies have raw materials to make the products. 

The truckers keep the cargo moving so that the products can be sold and bought. 

There are those that work at ports that move the cargo to the trucks and trains.

There are those that work at the grocery stores where we buy our food. 

There are computer geeks that keep the internet and phone lines operating. 

There are those that work to keep each utility working including the water department, electricity, garbage pickup, etc. 

There are those that work at morgues, funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries.

There are those that work at gasoline stations so that all the others have fuel to move around. 

There are the farmers and ranchers as well as all those involved in processing the food until it reaches the consumer.

There are experienced workers in the trades like plumbers, electricians, roofers, and AC & Heater workers.

There are those that deliver goods like drivers for UPS, FedEx, and Amazon.

There are those that work in cybersecurity so that all of us that are online are not hacked.

There are all those in the military and national guard that enforce these new laws to keep us safe.

There are all the pastors, church staff, elders, and church volunteers that have been learning new ways to serve others.

Here is a link to 10 ways to pray for pastors during this difficult season. The headings are perspective, patience, peace, paycheck, partner, posterity, pastoral skills, physical wellness, parishioners, and preaching. There are more useful articles on this site https://factsandtrends.net/2020/03/26/10-ways-to-pray-for-your-pastor-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/ 

Therefore let us pray that God will guide us all in taking prudent measures to prevent the spread of this virus. And especially pray for the protection of these key players.