On May 14, people of all religious affiliations were called to participate in a day of prayer, fasting, and acts of charity for the end of the coronavirus pandemic. On that day, seven religious leaders of various faith traditions from this area gathered by way of teleconferencing to join in prayer. They wanted to express solidarity with each other across faith lines and solidarity with the entire community suffering together in this time of COVID-19.  

Lead by Fr. José Rubio, Director of Interreligious and Ecumenical Affairs of the Catholic Diocese of San Jose, the leaders expressed concern for the current situation and their firm belief that we need to pray; sympathy to the loved ones of those who have died and solidarity with those who are infected. Together, they shared concern for healthcare professionals and first responders and for those who are most vulnerable: the elderly, those in nursing homes, the disabled, the poor, the uninsured, the undocumented, the unemployed, and the homeless. 

The participants, in alphabetical order, were as follows: Imam Tahir Anwar (Imam South Bay Islamic Association) Rabbi Melanie Aron (Rabbi Congregation Shir Hadash, Los Gatos), The Right Reverend Lucinda Ashby (Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real), The Most Reverend Oscar Cantú, (Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Jose) Bishop Mark Holmerud (Bishop of the Sierra-Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church), The Reverend Joey Lee (Executive Presbyter of the San Jose Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church [PCUSA]), The Reverend Joy-Ellen Lipsky, Board Chair of the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council.

The leaders were pleased to come together in prayer in support of the community at this time of crisis and expressed their desire to continue to work together in the near future. It was, indeed, a beautiful prayer service for the good of humanity!  

The recording of this virtual prayer service could be found here: INTERFAITH PRAYER

The text of each prayer is also presented here to be used in a community setting, or for private devotions.  WRITTEN PRAYERS