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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Rev Canon Dr Jennifer Smith, Superintendent Minister of Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission

Good morning. My home is at the church built for John Wesley, founder of Methodism, just at the edge of the City in central London. It has been an interesting place to live in lockdown.

An 18th century mega-influencer, Wesley knew the power of the pen. Amongst his more erudite spiritual writings there is a slim volume called ‘Primitive Physic.’ There Wesley collected and reviewed folk remedies and cures for common ailments, noting the ones he had tried himself. Some of his cures, like chewing fennel, parsley, or camomile for heartburn seem sensible, while others are downright frightening.

Wesley was a great believer in exercise and sleep to cure most ailments. And ahead of his time, he understood both melancholy, or depression, and anxiety to be illnesses. He did not dismiss them as a lack of character or failure of the will, but offered treatment. ‘Albeit odd treatment, where the patient held onto a small machine of wood, glass, and metal, which generated static electricity. In his day, medical care was the preserve of those who could pay. His goal in Primitive Physic was to make health remedies readily available to all. Healing he took to be a work of God.

There are still vast disparities in the health of rich and poor in this country, and in our global world. But in these past months we have been even more thankful for the NHS and all who work in it. So we give thanks to God today: for the work of doctors, nurses and carers of all kinds. Bless the medical professions and all who support them, and work for your healing in all people.

Amen.