Daily Reflections
Prayer
Gracious God, one of the greatest gifts you give us and one of our most noble callings is to aspire to friendship with you and others. Fill our hearts with gratitude this day for all those we call friend. May their friendship inspire us to grow in faith, hope, and love. We pray in gratitude. Amen.
Prayer
Merciful Lord, you create us with a noble purpose, to love you and to love others. Yet, we know that we are not always who we should be. Too often, we fail to live out our sacred calling. Give us the wisdom to stand today with our Jewish sisters and brothers as they celebrate this feast of repentance and atonement. May we have the courage to repent of our sins and failings and rededicate ourselves to fulfilling the noble calling for which you have created us. We pray this in your name. Amen.
Prayer
Loving God, your Son, Jesus, said that he had come not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. May the example of Jesus inspire within us a spirit of selfless service. May your Holy Spirit inspire us to not seek personal gain or prestige, status or power, but the opportunity to benefit the lives of others. Fill us with a humble heart that we might offer our lives in service for others. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Prayer
Eternal God, too often in our society we celebrate the grand, the great, and the famous. Such emphasis can tempt us to undervalue our own contribution and significance. Yet, we know it is more often in the simple, the ordinary, and the everyday through which people’s lives are changed and transformed. Strengthen us today to believe in, and act upon, our ability to contribute to the lives of others in simple and ordinary ways. In confidence, we pray. Amen.
Prayer
God of compassion and care, we thank you for your presence in our midst, for the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, and for this opportunity to celebrate our common call to continue the healing mission of Jesus advanced so faithfully by the Sisters of Mercy. We thank you for the many and diverse efforts in our ministry that contribute to the building of a better world. Strengthen us that we might respond courageously to your call to be laborers in the harvest. Confirm us in our mission, clarify our vision, and deepen our values. Bless us always with your mercy and love. Amen.
Prayer
God of all good things, we thank you today and every day for the many gifts you give to us, for the many blessings you bestow upon us. We thank you today in a special way for the gift of music. Music can stir the soul, can inspire the heart, can stimulate the imagination, and can call to action. Fill our hearts with gratitude and appreciation for all your good gifts. May we strive each day to use them in a way that will bring glory to your name and advance peace among your people. Amen.
Prayer
Living Lord, today, our nation celebrates American Business Women’s Day. As we celebrate the achievements of so many women, may we all recognize and promote the inclusion of all voices at the table. May the contributions of women in business inspire others to follow their own path, always mindful that true success is about the positive difference we make in the lives of others. In God’s name we pray. Amen.
