Prayer

Holy God,

Today, we celebrate the feast of Palm Sunday, a feast that commemorates both the day Jesus triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem and the beginning of the most sacred week of the church year. Your son Jesus entered the city to shouts of Hosanna. Yet, some of those same voices were shouting crucify him within a few days. Give us the strength and the courage to remain faithful to you, even in the midst of adversity and pain. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and bless our celebration of this holy week that our commemoration of these sacred events might draw us closer to you and renew our commitment to follow you each day. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer

G-d of liberation,

This evening, our Jewish sisters and brothers begin their celebration of the feast of Passover. May their celebration of this feast so rich in symbol, history, and meaning, inspire in our hearts a love of liberty and a dedication to promoting and defending the dignity of all. Give us the courage to respond in faith to your call to care for all people enslaved by poverty, illness, addiction, trafficking, depression, and contemporary slavery in all its forms. May the good news of your liberating love, embodied and memorialized in this sacred feast, touch our hearts and move us to create a world of justice and freedom. In the name of the G-d who is our source of freedom and life, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Lord of joy,
The past year has been so difficult and challenging days still lie ahead. Yet, despite the clouds and shadows, you call us to enjoy the gift of life you have given us. Help us to appreciate today and every day the gift of laughter. May the gift of laughter fill our hearts with joy and gratitude for the blessings you freely bestow upon us. May our laughter bring joy to others, driving away the clouds and filling our lives with light. Amen.

Prayer

Eternal and everlasting Lord,
You sent your son Jesus into the world through the openness, cooperation, and steadfast faith of a young maiden named Mary. May we, like her, have hearts open to your call. May we, like her, have the courage to do your will no matter how difficult what you call us to do might be. May we, like her, have the faith to trust in you and your promises. May the faith and courage of Mary inspire us to accept your call to proclaim the good news of your gospel in the lives we lead and the values we cherish. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer

God of service,
Your son Jesus said that he came not to be served but to serve. Inspire us by his example to lead lives of compassionate service. Open our hearts to your call to extend ourselves in love for our sisters and brothers. Help us to see you in each other. May our commitment to service on behalf of our sisters and brothers create communities of love, mercy, and care. Amen.

Prayer

God of courage,
It is easy to be afraid in a world filled with so many challenges. We are reminded daily of the needs of so many, the need for employment, the need for health and well-being, the need for racial justice, the need for environmental justice. Fill us with your courage, that in the face of so many challenges we may not surrender to fear but rather rise to meet the challenges of our day with compassion and humility. We pray in your name. Amen.

Prayer

God of all,
As we continue our celebration of Women’s History Month, fill us with appreciation for the gifts and contributions of women the world over. May their courage and sacrifice inspire us all to give of ourselves in the construction of a world of justice, equality, and freedom. May the lives and example of women be a constant source of inspiration and strength. In confidence, we pray. Amen.