(All Scriptures in this prayer are quoted from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible).
Dear God, our Heavenly Father,
Since You formed the heavens and the earth from the beginning, You have made summer the warmest season of the year and the time when the sun ascends to the highest peak in the sky, known as the summer solstice. Hence, it produces longer and sunnier days that can benefit people. According to health officials, besides taking a vitamin supplement, sunshine gives people Vitamin D. This nutrient builds strong, healthy bones (along with calcium), a strong immune system, and well-functioning brain cells (www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d/ ). Therefore, during summer, some people take trips or long vacations to the beaches to have some fun in the sun (to get Vitamin D). Such fun at the beach includes swimming and surfing in the ocean, playing beach ball, building sand castles, watching sunsets, etc. Some people take trips or long vacations to water parks to cool down their bodies from the summer heat while having fun in the sun (to get Vitamin D). Such fun at the water park includes floating and bathing in swimming pools, skimming, gliding, slipping on waterslides, and getting wet with splash pads such as sprinklers, fountains, and many other water attractions. While health officials tell us that sunlight gives people the health benefits of Vitamin D, they recommend that we not stay out in the sun for a long period in the summer because the season’s sunshine has harmful UV (Ultraviolet) rays that are hazardous to people’s health.
Health officials warn us that the sun in summer has dangerous UV rays that make people susceptible to health issues. The health issues caused by UV rays include skin cancer, premature aging, actinic keratoses (skin growth), cataracts, degeneration of the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eyeball), pterygium (tissue growth that can block vision), and weakening of the immune system (www.epa.gov/sunsafety/health-effects-uv-radiation). Because of those health effects, health officials strongly advise us to protect our skin and eyes from the sun’s harmful rays while we enjoy summer outings to the beaches or the water parks. That is by covering our skin with sunscreen, wearing sun visors (sun hats), and sunglasses. Otherwise, we must remain indoors—staying out of the sun as much as possible! But the Bible gives us the good news that You, Heavenly Father, are our shade at our right hand (Psalm 121:5-6). On that note, as we do the right thing by following the health officials’ sun-safety recommendations, we pray that You will be our shadow to protect us from the dangers caused by the sun while we enjoy our destinations of fun. The UV rays of the sun come with extreme heat.
Days with extreme heat usually produce a heat wave. During a heat wave, health officials warn us about the possible health problems that will arise: sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. To combat the heat, health officials strongly advise us to avoid high-energy activities during the midday as much as possible and to stay indoors, take cool showers and baths, and drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated [and enjoy the air conditioner]. If we venture outside at midday, we must wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat wide enough to protect our face and find a shaded area (www.ready.gov/heat). Still, we must protect our skin and eyes by wearing sun-protecting gear. As we follow the health officials’ heat-safety outdoor recommendations, we pray, Heavenly Father, that Your mercy will lead and guide us to springs of water.
Hence, we shall neither hunger nor thirst; neither the heat nor the sun shall strike us (Isaiah 49:10, Revelation 7:16). We also pray that Your mercy will find us a pavilion that serves as a cooling place for us to get a break and rest from the outdoor heat. For the Bible prophecies, “There will be a tabernacle in the daytime from the heat (Isaiah 4:6).” With our being in that cooling shelter, we ask, Heavenly Father, that You will be our shade from the heat (Isaiah 25:4).
In conclusion, Heavenly Father, as we enjoy summer, may Your Spirit guide us with wisdom to follow all the safety precautions health officials give us! Thus, You will pour out Your loving protection and blessings on us throughout the season. In Jesus’ name. Amen—Kenneth Sullivan.