CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

219 Mary Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93458

AN OPEN LETTER AND PRAYER TO ALL HEROES OF OUR TIME

You dare to put your life in danger for the sake of those in need of your services when you can opt to isolate yourself in the security and convenience of your home with your loved ones. You are aware of the risk being in the forefront of the global fight against an invisible destroyer of life- the COVID-19. You responded and you continue to respond to the call to be of service to all in need and truly dedicating your time, your energy, and practically all of yourself unmindful whether your deeds will be rewarded or not.

And when we rejoice when a person is saved from the pang of this pandemic, please know that deep in our heart is our gratefulness to God for what you are doing. Please also know that we feel with you the frustration and sadness when a person under your care did not make it. And if you are an essential worker providing other most needed care like tending in the grocery stores, giving care to residents in many care facilities, staff in pharmacy stores, being one of those drivers of public transportation, or one of those in police and fire departments, in restaurants preparing food and doing delivery, and one of those church leaders keeping people’s spirit at its height when all else are losing hope, please know we are sincerely thankful.

Please know that your sacrifices are treasures which will linger in our hearts even for a lifetime. You have restored our hope that this world will be better and is not going down the drain of callousness and indifference.

We want to be in prayer with you. Our religious orientation may differ with you but one thing we are certain of, we are calling the same compassionate and loving God:

“Most gracious and sovereign God, we lift up to You fervently your child ever seeking Your protection as he or she puts himself/herself in danger in this critical time when lives are easy prey of the virus that has no regard of our social, economic, political, physical and religious orientation; not even a respecter of age and gender, of profession and vocation, and of anything that makes up one’s being.

We pray for all your loved ones who worry and are restless because of the peril you are into. We seek Your kind help O, God so all our leaders and authorities will be able to provide all protective means to safeguard your life and all the lives of all essential workers all over the world. May these public and private agencies discover the cure and the means to prevent the spread of this virus.

Lord, help your child never to grow weary being a blessing to You and a blessing to Your creation. Help us too never to cease praying for them. And keep our hope alive awaiting for the breaking of a peaceful dawn. Through Christ, our Hope for brighter tomorrow, we pray. Amen.

YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA

PS: Should you or if you know of someone in need to be prayed over, please do not hesitate to call Pastor Mark Marcos at (626) 367-3670 or e-mail him at rev.ljmarcos@gmail.com; or Harald Brown, church lay leader at (805) 452-2918, email: kokosan70@comcast.net; or the church at (805) 925-3116; email: Christ_umc@hotmail.com.