Building

Today sees the opening of NHS Nightingale in the East End of London. What an absolutely fabulous effort has been made by so many people to get this converted and opened in nine days. I think that the army need a special mention in all of this, but of course it would have been a team effort. And how good it was to see Prince Charles give his message of thanks and support.

When I see the television pictures of the site there is a little something that stirs within me. This is because the ExCel centre is in the old dockland area of London. My mothers family were dockers from the East End and it somehow feels good to see a place where their feet trod and hands laboured being used in this way.

In the first part of the book of Ezra we read the account of the Israelite's returning from exile to Jerusalem and rebuilding the Temple. It highlights how they worked together facing challenges and struggles in doing this. It took longer than nine days but in the end they are successful.

There are still many challenges ahead of us as a nation, let us pray that enough staff will be found to work in the new hospital. It might feel a bit like we are all in exile at the moment but the day will come, when our present situation gets better, when we too will need to be involved in rebuilding. What will we want to rebuild and will it be to the glory of God?

Dear God

Today we give you thanks for
the new NHS Nightingale;
for all those who have worked
so hard to build it.

We pray for those who will
work in it and for the patients
they will care for.

May your hand of protection
and healing be on them and all
who are in the front line fight
against Coronavirus.

Hear our prayer for we ask it
in the name of Jesus.
Amen