A Prayer to Welcome the Vaccine for Covid-19

O God, the One who brings us light and hope, we welcome the news of a different hope,
the forthcoming vaccine, a light at the end of what has been for so many a very long and dark tunnel.
 
As we embrace this positive news, we acknowledge those who didn’t live to see this sign of light, and the many others who still exist in the darkened tunnel of their grief.
 
We offer gratitude from our tired hearts for the gift of life which sustains us each day.
We say Thank You to the scientists, researchers and technicians from Turkey, Germany,
the UK, and other countries whose hard work, collaboration and expertise is an example to all.
 
We know, Lord, the world is unfair: while our wealth and resources have supported 200 separate Covid research projects and reached a successful outcome in record time, so many of our brothers and sisters in poorer nations lose their lives each year* without adequate vaccines for diseases like TB, HIV and malaria.
 
So, may our rejoicing be tempered by a perspective and compassion that lifts the needs of all the people of the world to you in our prayers.
 
And now may you give strength to the nurses, doctors, medical staff and administrators, who will continue to work without days of rest so that others of us may be protected and, by your grace, see our lives and economy begin to recover and heal.
Amen.
 
* The number of people who have died so far from Covid-19 is around one and a half million, the same number that TB kills annually.