Daily Reflections
Prayer
God of courage and compassion, You call us to be people of love. But we know that it can be difficult to love others because love requires so much. Inspire us through the example of Jesus that we might have the courage to love others. May the example of people like Maximilian Kolbe, who volunteered to die in place of a stranger in Auschwitz, help us develop the willingness to sacrifice so that love might live. We pray in your name. Amen.
Prayer
Holy God, we know that life can be difficult. We can have difficult days, challenging times, stressful experiences. And yet, we know that you are with us in all things. Strengthen our trust in you. Fill us with the gift of your Holy Spirit, that we might face the challenges of life with courage and hope. Console us in painful times and inspire within us a willingness to always begin again. Amen.
Prayer
Gracious God, we know it is all too easy to take others for granted. As time passes, we can begin to see the extraordinary as ordinary, as normal. Help us to not take others for granted, especially those who sacrifice daily that we might be healthy and safe. Stir within us a spirit of gratitude and develop within us hearts that appreciate the goodness and love of others. Amen.
Prayer
Creator God, You have created all persons in your image and likeness. You bless each of us with inherent dignity. Give us the vision to see each other as sisters and brothers and the courage to treat each other with justice and respect. Open our eyes that we might always see you in one another. We pray in your name. Amen.
Prayer
God of beauty, in the midst of the stresses and strains of life, it can be difficult to remember to appreciate the beauty of life, the beauty of the world, the beauty of others. Fill our hearts with gratitude this day for the many wonders with which you populate the earth and our lives. Help us to never take your beauty for granted. May we always recognize your light even in the midst of darkness. We pray as we live, in your name. Amen.
Prayer
Faithful Lord, we know that too often indigenous peoples have been treated unjustly and unfairly. On this day that celebrates the world’s indigenous peoples, we pray that treaties will be honored, agreements will be respected, and other constructive arrangements will be esteemed. May we strive to be just in our relations with all peoples. Give us the courage that we may always act rightly towards one another, shaped by the example of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Prayer
Loving God, it is often in difficult times that we become more aware of our dependence upon you. Strengthen our faith that we might trust only in your goodness and truth. Fill our hearts with your love that our faith might find daily expression in compassion and mercy. We pray in your name. Amen.