Prayer

Tender God,

Our first experience of your love for us finds expression in a mother’s love. Today, we celebrate in a special way the beautiful gift of a mother’s love. Stir within us the flame of gratitude for the incalculable contributions our mothers make to our lives. May each mother know deep within, the thanks rightly owed them by their children and by the broader human community. May each mother know how much they are loved. And may we strive to share with others the love and care through which our mothers have shaped us. We offer this prayer along with Mary, the mother of Jesus our Risen Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty and ever-living God,

You have created us with the capacity to learn and grow throughout our lives. Help us to resist the temptation to believe we have learned all we need to know. Open our minds and hearts to the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we might commit ourselves to being lifelong learners. May our evolving hearts and minds deepen our love for you and for one another. We pray in the name of the God who creates us with the capacity to learn each day. Amen.

Prayer

Lord of vocation,

You call each of us to love you through the service of our sisters and brothers. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we might have the strength and the courage to respond generously to your call. Bless the paths we walk as you lead us to those who are in need, to those who suffer, that we might share with them the light of your love and care. We pray with confidence in your love and presence. Amen.

Prayer

Lord of all,

Today we celebrate our National Day of Prayer. May this celebration renew our commitment to call upon you in trust and hope. May this day affirm the bonds of unity that exist among all people of faith. Gracious God, in times of struggle, you are our rock. In times of upheaval, you are our peace. In times of difficulty and pain, you are our hope. May our common prayer draw us closer to you, enliven our love for one another, and strengthen our dedication to building a world of justice and peace. We pray in the name of the God who is the source of light and life for all creation. Amen.

Prayer

God of all,

Fill our lips this day with words of praise and gratitude for the gift you give us in and through our Hispanic sisters and brothers. As we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, may we prayerfully reflect upon and celebrate the many contributions of Hispanic peoples to the life of the world. May this celebration remind us of our common origin in you and our common call to serve one another, working to build a world of justice and peace. Amen.

Prayer

God of courage,

Firefighters, by spirit and by training, rush into danger each day in an effort to save lives, but also to save memories and to save dreams. On this International Firefighters Day, let us pause to give thanks for these brave men and women who risk their lives each day in the service of others. May their courage enkindle within our hearts a desire to dedicate our lives to the service of others and the fostering of dreams. We pray in God’s name. Amen.

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.