We acknowledge that the United States has now experienced over 500,000 COVID-related deaths, that we know of, since the beginning of the pandemic.
Such a large number can be hard to wrap our heads around and we can easily become numb in the face of so much suffering, including our own. This National Geographic article can help put that number into perspective.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/graphics/what-500000-united-states-covid-deaths-look-like
Our prayers remain with those who have died and those who mourn, those who are ill and those who are recovering, those who are fear and those in denial.
As a people of justice, we also acknowledge the health, economic, and social disparities that have come even further to light with the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on our brothers and sisters of color.
From the article, “Deaths among Black Americans are 1.9 times higher than among non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics and Latinos 2.3 time higher, and Native Americans 2.4 times higher.”
Please pray for an awakening to the greater need for stewardship, individually and collectively, to ensure all God’s children are safe, cared for, and working to be good stewards of their neighbors’ safety. May we listen to and follow where God may be leading us to take part in co-creating a more just and healthy world for us all.
