Daily Reflections
Prayer
Lord of life, today begins the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. May the celebration of this month draw attention to the beauty of Hispanic culture and the contributions of so many Hispanic women and men to life on our planet. May the attention drawn to Hispanic heritage promote a greater appreciation of diversity and inclusion and a greater spirit of solidarity among all women and men. In God’s name we pray. Amen.
Prayer
Merciful God, it is a central irony of the good news of your Son Jesus that his death on the cross is the root of our new and everlasting life. Open our hearts to the power of his example, that we might grow increasingly open to give of ourselves that others might have life. Bless our efforts and our sacrifices, no matter how small, that they may produce a harvest of justice and life. We offer our prayer through your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Prayer
God of strength and courage, often our lives are shaped by fear. We fear events swirling around in our world. We harbor fears about our own safety and security. We can fear the unknown, like the substance of our future. And yet, we trust in your love and the power of your guiding hand over the unfolding of world history and our own history. Send your Holy Spirit upon us. Inspire us to face each day with courage, confident in your compassion and goodness. We pray this in your name. Amen.
Prayer
God of meaning and hope, we know that sometimes life can be hard to manage. Sometimes the stresses and strains of work and home life can tempt us to despair, to question the meaning of it all. But when we turn our hearts to you, O God, we rediscover life’s purpose. We experience gratitude for the blessing and the meaning of life. Fill us with a sense of your presence and strengthen our belief in the goodness and meaning of life. Amen.
Prayer
God of all hopefulness, as we recall the tragic events of 9/11, we ask you to send your blessing upon all those who died that day and upon the families and friends who still miss mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives, children and friends. May the horrific events we recall inspire us to renew our efforts to make the world a better place and dedicate our lives to the quest for justice and peace. May our shared memory help to strengthen the bonds of our shared humanity and renew our love for each other. In sacred remembrance, we pray. Amen.
Prayer
Lord of goodness and care, you call us, not to simply offer an occasional thank you but, to be people of gratitude. Stir our hearts with the fire of your love that we might live from a genuine spirit of gratitude for the many gifts you give us, for the many blessings you bestow upon us. May the gift of gratitude inspire us to rededicate our lives to the service of others. Amen.
Prayer
Lord God, inspire us by the example of your servant St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise whose feast we celebrate today. Responding to your call, St. Ciaran founded a monastery that would become one of the most important centers for learning and religious life in Ireland. Guide our steps that they may always lead us to you and guide our hearts that, like St. Ciaran, we might always respond to the call to do your will in our lives. In your name, we pray. Amen.
