Prayer

God of humility and goodness,

Mary, the mother of your son Jesus, had a heart filled with motherly love for her son and compassion for all humanity. Create within us a heart full of love for Jesus and for one another. May the abundant goodness of Mary’s heart inspire each of us to lead lives of mercy and care for our sisters and brothers. We make this prayer through Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Loving Lord,

At the heart of your son Jesus’ ministry was compassion for all. As we celebrate this feast of Jesus’ sacred heart, help us to be mindful of the love and compassion that filled that heart. May we strive to embody in our own lives the overflowing love of Jesus and make of ourselves expressions in our time and place of his sacred heart. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer

God of relationships,

Our families, no matter what they look like or of whom they consist, are vital to who we are as people and to the flourishing of society. At the heart of your eternal being are the sacred relationships between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. May our faith in you affirm the centrality of family and inspire us to be grateful for, and affirming of, our own families. We pray in the name of our ever-living Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

As vaccinations increase and as the process of returning to some degree of normalcy gains momentum, let us shout with joy to you, Lord, for your goodness. As we experience this joyful return, help us to remain mindful of those who died during this pandemic and their families and friends. May this past year strengthen our desire to cherish our loved ones and the shared activities that shape so much of living. Let us shout with joy to the Lord, full of gladness and thanksgiving. We make this prayer in the name of the God who is the source of our being. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty and ever living God,

Bless our efforts as we continue to strive for racial justice. Help us to recognize the humanity of each and every person. Inspire us, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, to promote and defend the dignity of all. May we of Bon Secours Mercy Health strive to be a shining example of racial harmony, seek always to be inclusive, and united in the quest to pursue happiness and wholeness for all. We pray in God’s name. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

Sometimes we can be hyper-focused on the negative and fail to see the positive which surrounds us. Give us the confidence that flows from knowing you are with us, that you will never abandon us, and that you will help us navigate the obstacles in our path. We thank you for the gift of your grace that fills us with assurance and faith. We make this prayer in the name of the God who is the source of our being and dignity. Amen.

Prayer

God of dignity,

Your love, compassion, and creative power are boundless. Open our eyes to the beauty of your creative diversity. Open our ears to hear the stories of those who have suffered for simply being who they are. Open our minds to your wisdom, that we might seek understanding and inclusion. And open our hearts to your love, the love you have for each of us and that unites us all. We pray in gratitude for the glory of your diverse creation. Amen.