Praying for the president and the first lady

The Book of Common Worship contains a prayer for healing

by Paul Seebeck and Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

The Book of Common Worship, 2018 edition

LOUISVILLE — Many across the nation and around the world are praying for the healing of President Donald J. Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump.

The president, who’s 74, revealed via Twitter Friday morning that he and the first lady, who is 50, had contracted COVID-19. He was then hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center but walked out of the hospital Monday evening. Melania Trump remained at the White House.

A prayer for healing is as nearby as the Book of Common Worship, which was published two years ago. The prayer may be adapted as follows for this situation:

By your power, great God,

our Lord Jesus healed the sick

and gave new hope to the hopeless.

Though we cannot command or possess your power,

we pray for those who want to be healed

especially for the president of the United States, the first lady

and all those affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Mend their wounds, soothe fevered brows,

and make broken people whole again.

Help us to welcome every healing as a sign that,

though death is against us,

you are for us,

and have promised renewed and risen life

in Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.