Faith in a Pandemic – Washing Your Hands

VI.
WASHING YOUR HANDS
Righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24)

Everywhere we are getting advice to wash our hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. Many of us have been doing this all along. For others of us this is a new practice.

The Buddhists say “before enlightenment I chopped wood and carried water and after enlightenment I chopped wood and carried water.” We can do ordinary things in a holy way, making everyday practices prayer forms.

This morning as I was walking on the beach, I timed various prayer forms, slow counting. I discovered
the following prayers can be slowly said or sung in around twenty seconds:
The Lord’s Prayer
Psalm 23
Doxology
Amazing Grace

You can also say the Jesus Prayer three times:
Lord, Have Mercy Upon Me a Sinner

Or the full liturgical Kyrie just once:
Lord Have Mercy
Christ Have Mercy
Lord Have Mercy

You can also go over your prayer list. Visualizing three or four people as you wash your hands. The times call for kindness and to do ordinary things in loving ways.
Holy One, let me do ordinary things with love. Let me pray the tasks of today and practice kindness and patience. Amen.
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Bruce Epperly is a pastor, professor, and author of over 50 books including “Finding God in Suffering: A Journey with Job,” “Process Theology: Embracing Adventure with God,” and “Angels, Mysteries, and Miracles: A Progressive Vision.”