Prayer during Time of Pandemic: Oh Lord Be Merciful Unto Thy Children
As news of the global pandemic and more drastic actions taken to prevent its spread permeated the news last week, I felt inspired (I believe by the Universal and Divine Holy Spirit within all of us) to voice this prayer for the world to come together with the grace of God's aid during this devastating health and economic crisis. I then set it to music for 4 voices in the style of an Elizabethan English Anthem, one of my favorite genres of all time.
I sent the scores to my talented friends and colleagues, Audrey Fernandez-Fraser and Benjamin Doyle and asked them to record first audio, then video for this virtual quartet. Truly virtual as this quartet could never exist in reality as Audrey sang both the soprano and alto parts-into her cellphone no less, but to satisfactory effect!
I hope it brings you some meditative reflection, inspiration, peace, comfort and hope for our leaders and all humanity to join forces in this isolating time, apart but together!
If you do, please share it freely with any friends, family, choirs, churches, music directors, people who are suffering and need consolation, etc. who may be looking for something inspirational and hopeful that this prayer and music offers!
Musically yours,
EP
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Oh Lord be merciful unto thy children,
For we have gone astray.
We have put our trust not in Thee,
But have scorned Thy commandements
And become proud in the imagination of our hearts.
Help us to help one another
And seek not the treasure of gold,
But the treasure of Thy Holy Spirit
That dwelleth in ourselves and in our brothers.
Let the nations all with one accord
Show forth to all the People
Thy tender and loving mercy
And give unto them their daily bread
And deliverance from the scourge.
Amen.
