Prayer

Merciful God, today, we continue our celebration of Black History Month. May our ongoing celebration remind us of how vitally important it is to be truthful as a nation about our past, to be honest and hopeful about the future we desire as a people, and to recognize and accept that both require us to be a virtuous people in the here and now. May we as individuals and as a people repent of injustice and contribute to the dawning of a new and better day for all. In humility, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of compassion, we know we are not perfect. We fail, we miss the mark, we fall short of our noblest goals and dreams. We know we are not always who we are created and called to be. And yet, we know that you continue to call us. We know you continue to reach out to us. We know that night gives way to a new dawn. Help us to trust in your presence and love that we might embrace the future you promise by drawing closer to you today. In love, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious Lord, sometimes we experience the temptation to think of our faith as magic. We can be tempted to believe that faith in you wipes away all our problems and makes life an uninterrupted experience of happiness and wonder. Yet we know faith does not magically eliminate the darkness in our lives. Rather, it helps us to see despite the darkness, shapes our sense of meaning despite the seeming meaninglessness we sometimes encounter, and illuminates the path of discipleship we strive to walk with you. Stir within our hearts a desire for the gift of genuine faith. Amen.

Prayer

God of transformation, today we remember the life and death of St. Agatha. Rather than renounce her faith, Agatha endured torture and death. May her courage and fidelity serve as an example for each of us as we try to live our faith in the midst of the struggles of our age. May Agatha’s experience renew our awareness of all those who suffer unjustly in our world and dedicate ourselves to building a world of justice and peace. In God’s name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Eternal and ever-living God, cancer is such a destructive force in our world, we often speak of anyone or anything we perceive as harmful as being a cancer. Today, we remember all those who have died due to this horrendous illness and those who love them. We remember all those working diligently to end the tyranny of this malignancy. And we give thanks for all those who dedicate their lives to creating communities of safety, health, and well-being. We pray in gratitude. Amen.

Prayer

God of fortitude, we know that shadows fall over even the most virtuous of lives. Grant us resilient hearts that we might have the courage to overcome the obstacles we face in our lives. Help us to know that resilience is not about the challenge to survive but fulfilling your call to thrive. In the midst of the adversity we encounter in life, help us to always be mindful that you are with us and that you call us to be more than our struggles and challenges. May your love help us to confront adversity and embrace the hope of a new day. In confidence, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious Lord, we recall today the person of Simeon, a holy person who had waited a long time to see God’s salvation. Like Simeon, we often find ourselves waiting: waiting for God to heal divisions, waiting for God to heal a loved one from disease, waiting for God to improve our relationships, help us pass a test, or take away many of the challenges we face in our lives. May Simeon’s example inspire us to embrace God’s vision of salvation, a world united in love and grounded in freedom, justice, and dignity. Grant us, Lord, confidence in your promises, and grateful for the many blessings you bestow upon each of us. May we use our gifts for the good of others and to bring glory to your name. In hope, we pray. Amen.