Daily Reflections
Prayer
God of all creation, we thank you for the gift of creation and for the goods of the earth. We thank you for each other and the gift we are to each other. Fill our hearts with your truth that we might sense your presence in all that you have created. May we live from a profound respect for the goodness of creation and commit ourselves to its ongoing care. In God’s name we pray. Amen.
Prayer
Gracious God, too often we might think our contribution will not make a difference in a struggling world. Yet, great leaders and visionaries have always reminded us that even the smallest act can have tremendous influence. Give us the courage today to offer our gifts and talents no matter how small we may think them. And give us the wisdom to appreciate that no act of love or goodness or justice is ever insignificant. We pray, trusting in your goodness. Amen.
Prayer
Lord, we live in a society that sometimes values assertiveness over all other virtues. Our political squabbles, the quest for status, or even our own egos can encourage us to worry more about receiving the credit and being right rather than focusing upon the pursuit of the good and doing right. Fill our hearts with a zeal for doing the right that we might pursue it in all we do. Amen.
Prayer
Loving God, we live in tumultuous times. The discord and division we experience in our society and world threatens not only the peace of our communities but also the peace within our own minds and hearts. Fill us today with the courage not only to believe in peace but commit ourselves to working for it. Bless our efforts that we might bring peace to our communities, our families, and our own hearts. Amen.
Prayer
Eternal Lord, today we celebrate the feast of John Henry Newman who, among other contributions, was instrumental in the founding of what is today called University College Dublin. Shape our minds that we might embrace, as Newman did, an openness to development and change both in the church and in our lives and communities. May we see in faithful development the presence of your Spirit moving us to grow and evolve into ever clearer reflections of your love and goodness. In your name, we pray. Amen.
Prayer
God of vision, we can often take our sight for granted. As we celebrate World Sight Day, help us not only to appreciate the gift of sight but also of the importance of vision. We thank you for the gift of sight, that we might appreciate the beauty of the world you have created. Open our hearts that we might possess the vision to see the world and each other as you see us. May your vision inspire us to affirm and promote the dignity of all. We pray in the name of the creator God. Amen.
Prayer
Loving Lord, we often confront a world not of our own choosing. Today, we are confronted by a global pandemic, a contentious election, the push for racial justice, and the degradation of our climate, not to mention the personal challenges we face each day. The temptation is to allow ourselves to drown amidst the challenges confronting us. Yet we know maintaining a positive, hopeful attitude in the midst of these circumstances is crucial. Fill our hearts with your love and with trust in your promises that we might confront the challenges of each day with hope and confidence, grounded in your love and fidelity. Amen.
