Prayer

Lord of all,

We thank you for the gift of your presence in millions of different faces. Help us to be more respectful and grateful for the diversity of your creative power. Open our hearts and minds to the whisper of your voice in the voices of all our sisters and brothers. Inspire us to stand in solidarity with all people, especially people who are most vulnerable. Together, may we advance the kingdom proclaimed and embodied in the life, death, and resurrection of your son Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Loving Lord,

John the Baptist understood that his life was not about himself but about the one to whom his life pointed. That is why he answered the question of the priests by affirming that he was not the messiah. The purpose of his life was to point to the messiah. Inspire us through the example of John to respond to your call to lead lives that point to your son Jesus. May our lives reflect his love and contribute to building the kingdom he proclaimed and embodied. We pray in the name of Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

We live in a troubled world and often our own lives are filled with challenges and struggles. And we face each day the summons to respond to the challenges of a troubled life and world. That summons, however, can often leave us feeling distressed and exhausted. Remind us of the healing power of laughter and of the life that laughter brings in its wake. May our enjoyment of the gift of life renew us daily and provide us with the courage and the perspective necessary to contribute to the creation of a better world. In hope and joy, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of revelation,

So often we encounter your presence and love through story. Through the stories of ancient Israel, the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the story of community that calls upon his name, we encounter your grace, your goodness, and your mercy. Help us to recognize your presence in our own stories and give us the courage to share those stories with others. May our shared stories create greater understanding and strengthen the bonds uniting us all. We pray in God’s name. Amen.

Prayer

God of the seasons,

Each season of the year brings with it its own blessings and opportunities. As we celebrate the official commencement of summer, help us to appreciate the gifts that summer provides. May we take advantage of the opportunity to rest and refresh and to spend time in wonder before the majesty of your creation. We pray in gratitude for the beauty of the natural order. Amen.

Prayer

God and parent of all,

Today we celebrate fathers and the gift of fatherhood. We ask you to guide the hearts and minds of fathers that they might reflect your love for all your children. Encourage them to believe in their children as you believe in us. May we always be grateful for the blessing of fathers, for their love and support, and for the life lessons they teach that we might lead full, engaged, and abundant lives. Amen.

Prayer

God of true freedom,

As we celebrate this day that commemorates the end of chattel slavery in the United States, help us to be attentive to the many ways people remain enslaved in our world. Inspire us through the gift of your Holy Spirit to affirm the common humanity we share, to commit ourselves to the liberation of our sisters and brothers, and to dedicate our lives to building a world of justice and peace. We make this prayer through Christ Jesus, our risen Lord. Amen.