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.