Gratitude

Friendship

Friendship

Prayer

Loving God, on the night before he died, your son Jesus called his disciples friends. Let us give thanks today for the friends in our lives who help us to be better people, who see us through the difficult times, and are there to rejoice with us in the good times. Fill our hearts with the love and our minds with the wisdom to be good friends for others. May we strive to grow in friendship with you and imitate the friendship you offer us through your son, Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

2nd Sunday of Advent

2nd Sunday of Advent

Prayer

Lord, as we continue our celebration of the sacred season of Advent, we ask you to open our eyes that we might perceive your presence in our lives and world. Inspire us through your Holy Spirit to herald the good news of your love and mercy. Stir our voices that we might give voice to the truth of your presence and care. Bless our celebration of this season that we might grow closer to you and to one another.
With gratitude for your presence, we pray. Amen.

Happiness

Happiness

Prayer

Gracious God, sometimes it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the troubles of the world. The news is often depressing, we can succumb to the temptation to gossip, we can feel burdened by work, and it seems everyone wants something from us. Yet, we know you call us to beatitude, to be happy. Open our hearts to the joyful presence of your Holy Spirit. Help us to remember you create us to delight in the world you fashion and the people who populate it. Inspire us each day to live from a spirit of joy and gratitude for the gift of life and for our loved ones and friends. In gratitude, we pray. Amen.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Prayer

Gracious God, today, we pause to give thanks. We give thanks for our families, for our friends, for the opportunity to do meaningful work, and especially for the gift of your presence and love in our lives. May our celebration instill within us a spirit of gratitude that shapes our living throughout the year. May we always be mindful of the many blessings in our lives and always committed to responding to your call to be a blessing in the lives of others. In gratitude, we pray. Amen.

Family

Family

Prayer

Lord of all, the holiday season this year will be unlike any other we have experienced. Yet, thanks to technology, there will still be opportunities to be with family. Fill our hearts with gratitude for our families. Inspire us to find safe ways to be together and to strengthen the bonds that unite us. May we be mindful of the many who suffer because of the pandemic and thankful for the many working to keep us heathy and safe. With trust in you, we pray. Amen.

Gratitude

Gratitude

Prayer

Gracious God, each day we hear of the spike in Coronavirus cases. We hear of concerns about the spread of the disease as we approach the holiday season. Some suggest the surge is due to easing up on restrictions and forgetting to take appropriate precautions to battle this dangerous disease. But Lord, we must also not forget how much we owe to those on the front lines who serve and sacrifice each day to care for the ill and to keep everyone healthy and safe. Even as times change, may we always remember the debt of gratitude we owe to those on the front lines extending the compassionate care of Jesus to all people they encounter. With gratitude we pray. Amen.

Gratitude

Gratitude

Prayer

Gracious God, as we watch the news with anxiety, we remember the many people on the front lines who work each day to keep us safe and healthy, provided for, and encouraged. Keep close to you today all those workers on the front line who risk their health and safety to protect us. Fill them with your Holy Spirit that they might continue to perform their sacred mission and fill our hearts with gratitude for the service and care they offer. Amen.