June 2005

O Lord God Almighty…

O Lord God Almighty, you have taught us to call the evening, and the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down. Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning forever.

We humbly beg you, O God, mercifully to look upon your people affected by AIDS. Protect the healthy, calm the frightened, give courage to those in pain, comfort the dying, grant to the dead eternal life; console the bereaved, bless those who care for the sick, and hasten the discovery of a cure.

And grant that in this and in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in your steadfast love. Life itself is in your hands, Holy One. Give us your light and peace.

Amen.

From the Pastoral Handbook for the AIDS Crisis in Maine

(Maine Interfaith Coalition on AIDS, 1993)