Reflection “True success is reaching our potential without compromising our values.” ~ Muhammad Ali Prayer Almighty God, our culture often encourages us to pursue success without providing an accompanying definition. Open our mi

Prayer

Almighty God, our culture often encourages us to pursue success without providing an accompanying definition. Open our minds and hearts to your presence and love that we might be mindful of the substance of true success even as we strive to attain it. Help us to see that true success flows from an unwavering commitment to our cherished values. May our dedication to the things we believe are truly important allow us to grow and develop both as individuals and as a ministry. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi Prayer God of goodness, it is often in the midst of difficult times that we are reminded of the power of faith: faith in you, faith in one

Prayer

God of goodness, it is often in the midst of difficult times that we are reminded of the power of faith: faith in you, faith in one another, faith in ourselves. Send your Spirit upon us that we might be strengthened in and through faith. May our trust in you and in one another renew our hope as we strive to confront the challenges of our times with compassion and resilience. Amen.

Reflection “You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Prayer Eternal and everlasting God, how often has a gesture or act of kindness renewed our faith in humanity? How

Prayer

Eternal and everlasting God, how often has a gesture or act of kindness renewed our faith in humanity? How often has someone’s goodness on our behalf given us hope for the future and shaped our appreciation of the present? Fill our hearts with love and compassion for others that we might become the source of renewal for others, that we might give others hope. Help us to be mindful of the many blessings you bestow upon us. Inspire us to share the fruit of those blessings with all those we meet each day. In your name we pray. Amen.

Reflection “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.” ~ Mark 1:35 Prayer Gracious Lord, it is commonplace to think we live at a hectic pace. There is always one more phone call to ma

Prayer

Gracious Lord, it is commonplace to think we live at a hectic pace. There is always one more phone call to make, one more email to send, one more post to read. We have been trained to respond immediately every time our phone buzzes. We have become so accustomed to noise and busyness that we often avoid quiet time spent in silence. Inspired by the example of your son Jesus, grant us the wisdom to realize how important time spent with you is. Help us not only to desire it but to actively seek such time in our lives. Stir within us the desire to be with you and the discipline each day to consciously enter prayerfully into your presence. We pray in the name of your son Jesus. Amen.

Inauguration Day Reflection “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger…The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavo

Prayer

God of freedom, as our nation celebrates the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we give thanks for the many blessings enjoyed by our country throughout its long history. We also know there is still much work to be done. Guide our thoughts and actions that we might resolve to rise above the divisions and hostility to embrace the promise of our nation, to reject the false narratives that lead us to demonize each other, and instead commit ourselves to advance the blessings of liberty and justice for all. We ask you to bless our new president and vice-president, inspire us to dedicate ourselves to the work before us, and grant us the will to work together to realize our nation’s promise as a beacon of justice, truth, and freedom. Amen.

Reflection “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” ~ Thornton Wilder Prayer Faithful God, as we celebrated the New Year, many were delighted to put 2020 in their rearview m

Prayer

Faithful God, as we celebrated the New Year, many were delighted to put 2020 in their rearview mirror. Flipping the calendar has not lessened the impact of the pandemic on our lives and world. People are still contracting the virus at an alarming rate and so many families are dealing with the illness or death of loved ones. Remind us Lord, in the midst of such news, to continue to be grateful for the heroic efforts of those on the front line who sacrifice daily to keep us and our world healthy and safe. Give to them the peace and consolation of your presence as they battle exhaustion, as they continue to sacrifice, and as they confront their own fears and concerns. Bless them as they continue to extend your ministry of compassion to all for whom they care. We pray in your name. Amen.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Prayer

Gracious God, we live in times of deep division, mistrust, and violence. Bless in a special way our celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Open our hearts and minds to your truth and renew our commitment to justice and peace, pursued through cooperation and love. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we might realize and accept that we are all members of the same human family, created in your image and likeness. May the example of Dr. King inspire us to see in one another sisters and brothers with a common origin and destiny, guided by the conviction that together we can nobly fulfill the promise of our nation. We pray in the name of the God who is our creator and who calls us to create communities of justice, freedom, and peace. Amen.