BALANGA CITY — Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos has continued composing prayers for the different sectors amid the coronavirus crisis, issuing on Thursday two prayers, one for daily wage earners and the other for politicians.
The Bataan prelate said the church does not forget the workers and remember their sacrifices especially during this crisis.
“We are one in their suffering. We are thankful for their services to us. We pray for them not to lose hope, not to be discouraged,” Santos said.
Here is the prayer for the workers:
“Almighty Father and Loving God, Your word says that all who are weary and burdened can come to You and You will give them rest. Today we pray for our daily wage workers who have recently been laid off from work or lost their source of income.
Come to their rescue as they fight the battle for survival. May they feel the assurance that You love them even before the dawn of time and You have never forgotten them.
May they continue to seek You amidst not knowing how they will put food on the table or how their other needs will be met. Help them to come and hold unto Your precious promises for You are the source of our daily bread.
Touch the hearts of those who have enough so they may find ways to serve the helpless and the hopeless. Move us to be each others’ keepers for we belong to one body.
Help us not to waste divine opportunities to gain a heart of wisdom as You answer our humble prayer. We continue to magnify Your name and give You glory even in this time of pandemic. Hear the cry of hearts. We ask all these in Jesus’ most precious name. Amen.”
Santos said we should also pray for politicians for this is the time for them to show their true worth and to live up to the expectations of the people and show real, true service.
“The situation calls for them to be servants to their constituents and the opportunity to help and unite our people to overcome this Covid-19 pandemic,” the bishop said.
This is the prayer for politicians:
“O Almighty God and merciful Father, we recognize all power resides in You. You have authority over all creation. We pray for our politicians and submit them under Your guidance and grace. May they consistently put to practice their promises of service, particularly in these trying times of Covid–19.
May their life be a living testimony of self-giving and self-sacrifice not for personal privileges nor for personal convenience. Neither for their own family nor political party. Never to enrich themselves or lord it over their constituents.
Inspire them to be like Your Son, Jesus, reaching and seeking the least and the last, helping the poor and marginalized; protecting and promoting the sanctity of human life. Grant our politicians the discernment to live the way Christ did, for ‘He came not to be served but to serve’ (Matt 20: 28).
We also pray that You keep them physically and spiritually healthy at all times. With humble hearts we ask all these in Christ’s name. Amen.”
The bishop asked the intercession of Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario del Pueblo de Orani and St. Joseph to pray for the faithful.
