The Right Reverend Richard Bott is the current Moderator of the United Church of Canada. He composed this beautiful prayer for when we put our masks on, and has given permission for it to be shared (asking only that we attribute it to him).
Creator,
as I prepare to go into the world,
help me to see the sacrament
in the wearing of this cloth –
let it be “an outward sign
of an inward grace” –
a tangible and visible way
of living love for my neighbours,
as I love myself.
Christ,
since my lips will be covered,
uncover my heart,
that people would see my smile
in the crinkles around my eyes.
Since my voice may be muffled,
help me to speak clearly,
not only with my words,
but with my actions.
Holy Spirit,
as the elastic touches my ears,
remind me to listen carefully –
and full of care –
to all those I meet.
May this simple piece of cloth
be shield and banner,
and each breath that it holds,
be filled with your love.
In your Name
and in that love,
I pray.
May it be so.
May it be so.
7 Responses to “A Prayer for Putting on a Mask”
This is lovely, thank you so very much!
A beautiful prayer that should be shared around the world.
Praying that people read it!
Thank you for your lovely words.
Dear Rev. Bott,
My parish administrator sent our parish ministers your Prayer For Putting On A Face Mask and we from St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church in Westlake Village California USA thank you for your encouraging, inspirational and heart warming prayer. It is beautiful and I plan to share it. Thank you again.
Siempre Adelante,
Penelope O’Corrigan
Hi Penelope,
The Reverend Richard Bott is the Moderator of the United Church of Canada; we shared his prayer with permission because of how deeply it spoke to us, too! You can contact Richard through his public Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ModeratorRichardBott/
A holy reminder that wearing a mask is an act of love for our neighbor. Thank you.
It is s lovely pray to make the mind see the mask in a different way. The mask may be less difficult to wear as this pray in other words says love thy neighbour as thyself.
Apart from prevention of Corona disease it helps us to talk less and think more.
It is like the Cross which was once considered as evil as it killed humans ,today we kiss it as it saves humans and is holy all because of Christ. I consider the Holy Cross as the greatest miracle that Christ performed. The Evil made holy and desttoyed. Today this very Cross redeems the world.
May this very Cross destroy the virus
God bless.
THIS IS SOOOO GOOD AND I WILL SHARE IT WITH OUR CHURCH’S “SOLIDARITY” GROUP MEETING THIS EVENING!