May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
² that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
³ Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

⁴ Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
⁵ Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

⁶ The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.
⁷ May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth revere him.

God’s grace and blessings come to us so that God’s saving power will be known among all the nations. And, in order for us to become instruments of praise – the ones who tell the story of how God has blessed us – we pray and wait:

May God be gracious to us.

May God bless us.

May God’s face shine upon us.

If I have been personally spared from COVID-19, God has been gracious to me.

If I am still able to have food on my table and a roof over my head, God is blessing me.

If I can show compassion and help to a neighbor or relative whose life is in turmoil in this strange time, God’s face is shining on me and God’s love is being reflected to those around.

Prayer

God be gracious to us and bless us. As the earth has yielded its increase, you have blessed us. As You continue to bless us we join all the earth in revering you. Amen.