Lord,

Hear our prayer in this year 2020, and on this day for decent work!
You see us at the exit of this global health crisis provoked by COVID-19!

During this crisis and in the immediate aftermath,
We have commended, applauded and recognised the work of health workers,
And also, all those other key workers that made an indispensable contribution to social care, and to the economy ensuring us “living together”.
We wanted their work to be recognised and better remunerated, appreciated and decent!

But before this crisis, Lord
You knew well that this work was not being recognised,
And as well that, nurses, fire fighters, police officers, transport workers, refuge collectors, etc…. who had been demanding better salaries, working conditions and superior equipment, were rejected, refused, ignored in the name of economic system!
You know, all too well, that numerous workers have deteriorating health and sometimes are losing their lives
Because their working conditions were too poor or dangerous.

So, Lord, make this global crisis produce something new!
That we find new ways of living our personal lives, engaging in new ways of consuming, planning, taking care of the planet and by respecting the work of others more decently.

That we find new ways of living our social lives, be that in our groups, our associations, our co-operatives, … learning how to invent new forms of work that is more respectful of health and with a decent salary.

That we find new ways of living our life, so that political, economic, and trades union leaders … place human beings as the priority above the economy at thus exerting more responsibility and a little more decency.

That we find new ways of living in our international relations, and that change the systems of injustice which imprison millions of women and men in materiel poverty, health insecurity, economic exclusion, … so many evils that prevent having a real and decent life.

That we find new ways of living our spiritual life, so that through these trials, we will understand better how much You matter to each and everyone of us. Yes, Lord God, help-us:

To be men and women of Faith, to always desire to believe in a decent world.
To be men and women of Hope, capable of imaging this decent life.
To be men and women of Love, making the choices, leading to actions that will bring a world that we are constructing to be one that is more beautiful, more just, and will be a reflection of Your Love.
A reflection of You: A Good, patient and merciful God, a Decent God for us all and for ever and ever Amen

Fr, Bernard ROBERT – international Chaplain WMCW