Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your
husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother
and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.
[Ruth 2: 11]
The second chapter of the book of Ruth gives a glimpse of all the things that Ruth does to care for and provide for Naomi. She hasn’t gone around telling everyone about the wonderful things she has done – yet Boaz has heard all about her. Others have seen what she has done to help Naomi and passed on good reports.
During the lockdown, amidst all the negative and depressing news, I have loved hearing of all the people who have done amazing things to help others: delivering food, cooking meals and delivering to NHS workers and care homes, making scrubs and masks, shopping for others, raising money, and many, many more. Most of those people didn’t do it to get on the local news – and I’m sure there are many more who we’ve not heard about. Like Ruth, they did it out of love, and others have reported it.
How are we helping others in this difficult time? It doesn’t matter if no one recognises what you have been doing – it is done out of love. But on behalf of those who have benefitted from your love and kindness – thank you. It is more appreciated than you could ever know.
God of love
You have done more for us than we could ever hope to repay.
You do this out of your deep, steadfast love for us.
Open our hearts that we may have this love for others;
That we will show our love in little ways,
Just out of love, not expecting reward.
God of love
Support us as we love others.
Amen.
You can download this Prayer for the Week here
Weekly Prayers for June written by Revd Claire Rawlinson
Image: photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
