Prayer

God of compassion,

Today, we begin our celebration of National Nurses Week. May this week serve to remind us of the tremendous gift our nurses are not only to their patients but to us all. May our commemoration of this week instill within us a spirit of gratitude for the compassion and care with which nurses pursue their vocation. May their dedication inspire each of us to renew our commitment to our call to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus to all we encounter, especially to people who are sick and vulnerable. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,

It is easy to say we love someone, to proclaim that we love others. It is a much more profound challenge to shape lives that embody our proclamation in deeds and in truth. Open our hearts to your presence and love in our lives, that we might commit each day to sharing your love with all whom we meet not only by what we say but more importantly through what we do. We make this prayer through Christ our Risen Lord. Amen.

Prayer

God of labor,

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Your son Jesus learned much at the elbow of Joseph, watching him create for his community needed products and tools from the goods of creation. May this feast day remind us of the dignity of labor and the importance of work. May we offer the work we do each day as our contribution to advancing the reign of God. In the name of the God who blesses all our labors, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Crucified God,

Today, as our Orthodox sisters and brothers celebrate Good Friday, we pause to join with them in prayer in gratitude for the sacrifice of your son Jesus on the cross. May the example of his sacrificial love inspire within each of us a desire to give of ourselves to improve the lives of others and to create a world where justice and peace reign. May the shadow of the cross stir within us the desire and the courage to embody the sacrificial love of Jesus in our own lives. We pray in the name of Jesus, our crucified Lord. Amen.

Prayer

O God who calls,

You have created and called us for a noble cause, to spread the good news of your love and mercy to all. Grant us the faith to respond with courage to your call. Inspired by the gift of your Holy Spirit, may we strive today and every day to be who you have created and called us to be. May we always seek to discern your voice and strive to embody the truth of your love in our lives. We pray in the name of the God who creates and calls us all. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty and ever-living God,

In so many ways, our culture encourages us to establish our financial security and to define wealth based upon the size of our bank accounts and retirement plans. Yet, you challenge us to define wealth, not as a financial reality, but as an expression of our service to others. Help us today to reimagine the meaning of wealth and to see true wealth as what we are able to do for the benefit of others. Amen.

Prayer

Compassionate God,

As associates of Bon Secours Mercy Health, we are united in our call to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus. Bless us with eyes to see the suffering of others and hearts committed to alleviating that suffering through compassion and care. Stir within us the flame of your love that we may treat each person we meet today with kindness and compassion. We pray in God’s name. Amen.