Prayer

Merciful God,

Today, we recall the sacrifice of John the Baptist in the service of your kingdom. Though descriptions of John may make it difficult to relate with him, help us instead to focus on his devotion to the kingdom your son Jesus came to establish. May his selflessness and sacrifice inspire us to give of ourselves more freely each day that our lives might promote the kingdom and advance the dignity of all. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,

Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Augustine, a saint who struggled mightily to surrender himself to you. We too struggle to surrender our hearts and lives to you. Fill us this day with the gift of your Holy Spirit that we might open our hearts and minds to your presence and respond with generosity to your call. Inspired by the example of Saint Augustine, may we discover the courage to follow you and to love what you love. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Eternal and ever-living God,

Even if we do not always feel it is so, we know in our hearts you are never far away. We trust in your presence with us, and your support of us, always. Strengthen us in mind and heart that we may never doubt your love for us and keep us ever mindful of your Holy Spirit within us. May the example and great faith of St. Monica help us persevere during hard times and renew our efforts to be your presence in the lives of others. We make this prayer in the name of the Lord who is with us always. Amen.

Prayer

Creator of all,

Today, we celebrate Women’s Equality Day. May our celebration of this day enliven within us hearts dedicated to defending and promoting the full dignity of women here at home and around the world. May this day serve as a reminder that full equality and full respect for the dignity of all has not yet been achieved. But may it also renew within us a commitment to recognizing we are all created in the image and likeness of God and accept our responsibility to make reality what we know to be true. In hope, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

The ancients understood that gradually, over time, we become what we love. And like recognizing what we value by examining our budget, we can know who we wish to become by examining what we love, what we choose and think. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we might desire to choose your will, think as you think, and do as you would have us do. Then, gradually, over time, we will become more and more like you. Amen.

Prayer

Compassionate God,

Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Bartholomew, one of the original twelve apostles. Though among those who abandoned Jesus and fled when Jesus was arrested the night before he died, Bartholomew went on to proclaim the good news in India and Greater Armenia, where he later sacrificed his life for the cause of the gospel. May Bartholomew’s journey remind us that, though we fail at times, our failures can always lead to renewed and deepened commitment to the gospel we are called to serve. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Faithful Lord,

Too often, our lives can get tangled with the problems and tasks of the day. Our personal forest can grow so thick, it can block out the sun. Help us to remember in those times why we exist. Renew within us our commitment to the noble purpose for which we have been created. Make us always mindful of our call to positively influence the lives of those we touch. We pray in the name of God. Amen.