Freedom

Freedom

Freedom

Prayer

Lord of liberty, you create each of us with inherent dignity and freedom. Yet we know there are still far too many in this world who are not free. Fill our hearts with the desire to work for justice and bless our efforts as a ministry to abolish human trafficking here and around the world. Remind us each day that as long as one of your children is not free, we are all not free. Give us the courage to work together to abolish slavery in all its forms and promote freedom for all. We pray this in the name of God who is the source of our dignity and freedom. Amen.

Women

Women

Prayer

God of justice, you create each of us with inherent dignity. An attack on the dignity of one of us, is an attack on the dignity of all of us. Inspired by the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, give us the courage to eradicate violence against women in all its forms. Strengthen each of us that we might affirm and promote the dignity of all people, focusing efforts specifically on upholding the dignity, freedom, and rights of women in the United states and around the world. Open our eyes that we might see the ways in which women continue to be the victims of violence and open our hearts that we might work to create a world in which violence is eliminated and the dignity of all flourishes. We pray this in the name of God who is the source of our being. Amen.

Freedom

Freedom

Prayer

Lord of liberty, on this day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln promised that our nation would experience a new birth of freedom. We are still committed to making real the promise Lincoln articulated that day. Inspire us through the presence of your Holy Spirit to rededicate ourselves to the work still before us, to create a nation of compassion and justice, of goodness and liberty. May Lincoln’s inspiring words instill within us the desire to contribute our own effort to the cause for which so many have given their lives. Amen.

Dependence

Dependence

Prayer

Eternal Lord, today our Jewish sisters and brothers celebrate this feast emphasizing the dependence of the people of Israel on the Lord, particularly during their sojourn through the desert during the Exodus. Too often we think of dependence as weakness. Help us to see that dependence upon you is the path to true freedom. May we join with our Jewish sisters and brothers in acknowledging our dependence upon you and enjoy the blessing of freedom that only you can give. In confidence and gratitude, we pray. Amen.

Justice

Justice

Prayer

Lord of justice and liberty, as we recall the signing of the Constitution by the delegates on September 17, 1787, help us also to be mindful of the noble goals for which it was established. Fill us with your Spirit that we might recognize what unites us as human beings. Give us the courage to provide justice for all. Stir within our hearts compassion that seeks the welfare of others, particularly people who are poor, sick, and vulnerable. And enliven our minds to enshrine in both practice and law respect for the freedom and dignity of all people. Amen.