Prayer

Loving Lord,

Friendship is a profound interest in the good of the other. Plant within us hearts dedicated to pursuing the good of all those we encounter. Help us recognize that pursuing the good of others is an expression of our friendship with you. Moved by your presence and love, may we strive to pursue the good of all we meet and strengthen the bonds of our friendship with you. Amen.

Prayer

Eternal and ever-living God,

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of your son Jesus. This remarkable moment in Jesus’ life represented a foreshadowing of the resurrection that was yet to come. May his transfiguration not only provide us trust and confidence in the gift of eternal life but also open our hearts and lives to the transfiguration you wish to work in each of us. Inspire us that we might dedicate our lives to the transfiguration of the world in which we live, making it a place of ever greater justice, freedom, dignity, and peace. May your son’s transfiguration renew within us our response to your call to transform our lives and world. We make this prayer through Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Compassionate God,

As we seek to grow in your wisdom, help us remember that true wisdom is always intended, not just for personal growth, but for the service of others. But may we also always be mindful that our service on behalf of others must always be guided by your wisdom and truth. This day, open our minds and hearts to your truth and stir within us the desire to commit ourselves to making the world a better place for all. We pray in God’s name. Amen.

Prayer

Lord of life,

Too often we surrender to the temptation to miss the joys of the present moment because of our preoccupation with the future. Help us to trust the future to your goodness that we might renew our appreciation for the present. May our openness to the current moment fill us with gratitude for you and help us to be truly present to and for all whom we encounter. We pray in the name of the God who is the Lord of all time. Amen.

Prayer

God of peacemakers,

Your son Jesus proclaimed, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ We are currently passing through difficult days. The pandemic, the search for racial justice, and the challenges confronting our environment are only a few of the trials that mark the age in which we live. Give us the strength to face these issues with courage and faith that we might leave to the next generation a world that is more sustainable, a population safer and healthier, a society that is more just, and a world that knows peace. We pray in God’s name. Amen.

Prayer

God of hope,

The future is still shrouded in uncertainty, even for the most prescient among us. The unknown can often be a source of anxiety and fear. Help us to trust our future to you. May our experience of your deep and profound love give us the light of hope that can pierce the darkness of fear. May we trust in the goodness of the future as we trust in your goodness and mercy. We pray in the name of the God who is God of the future. Amen.

Prayer

Merciful God,

We know that life can often be a challenging journey and that we can all experience pain, disappointment, sorrow, and loss. Fill us this day with your Holy Spirit that we might draw consolation from your presence. May your presence grant us strength and courage during challenging times, inspiring us to be sources of hope for others as they confront their own challenges and vulnerabilities. We make this prayer in your name. Amen.