Prayer

Faithful God, holiday stress often comes from the pressure we place upon them to deliver a spectacular experience of happiness. And yet, we know that happiness often comes in the simple, seemingly mundane experiences of life: time spent with family and friends, the enjoyment of a good book, being there to help when someone we love is in need. Grow within us a heart open to, and appreciative of, the simple things in life that are so often the source of true happiness. We pray in your name. Amen.

Prayer

God of all, throughout history you have acted to liberate enslaved peoples. Through Moses you led the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. Through Cyrus you liberated an exiled people from Babylon. Your son Jesus came to liberate us from slavery to sin and death and free us for life and love. Inspired by the courage of Moses and Jesus’ example of selfless love, we ask you to renew our commitment to the eradication of human trafficking in all its forms. Open our eyes to those who suffer and our hearts to respond with compassion and help. Strengthen us as we strive to defend and promote the inherent dignity of all. Amen.

Prayer

Loving Lord, on coming up out of the waters of baptism, Jesus heard your voice affirming his relationship with you. Open our eyes and our hearts, our minds and our ears, that we might hear your voice speaking to us. Help us to be more attentive to your presence in our lives and more open to your guidance, that we might follow where you lead. In thanksgiving for our relationship with you, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty God, we talk often about strength and power in our culture. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we might realize and accept that true strength comes from faith in you. Guide us in your ways that we might use the strength you give us to affirm the dignity and advance the goodness of others. We pray in your name. Amen.

Prayer

God of creation, during this past year we learned perhaps more powerfully than ever before of the importance of health. But more so, we learned about how our health is interconnected with the health of others. Give us the courage and the will power to pursue healthy living in the coming year and act in ways that are beneficial to the health of others. May we never take our health, or that of others, for granted. Bless our efforts in the days ahead to take better care of the precious gift of life you have given each of us. In your name we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Lord of mirth, humor has no doubt been a blessing for many of us as we have passed through these difficult and painful days of pandemic. Humor can often be a release from the stresses and strains of daily living. We thank you, Lord, for the gift of humor. May we use this gift to lighten the loads of others, bring joy and laughter even if only for a moment, and occasionally allow it to shed light on the absurd around us. May the gift of humor you have given us help us to navigate those times when we find ourselves living in the shadows and heighten those times when we are walking in the warmth of the sun. We pray in gratitude. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious Lord, sometimes while working to affirm and promote the dignity of others, we can sometimes forget that we too are created with inherent dignity. Even as we strive to build a world that respects the dignity of all, strengthen us that we might lead lives consistent with our dignity as creatures made in your image and likeness. Amen.