Prayer

Eternal and ever-living God,

Our lives are constantly moving at a breakneck pace. Due to advances in communication technology, our workday often breaks the limits of appropriate boundaries. We try to fill each moment of the day and often turn being busy into a competition. In the midst of our busyness, we risk failing to appreciate the depth and profundity of life. We maintain such high levels of noise and distraction; we often fail to encounter you in the silence. Help us to avoid the trap of constantly doing things but achieving nothing. Strengthen our commitment to you, that we might devote time and energy daily to nurturing our relationship. May we seek not to be busy but to be faithful, finding true meaning and purpose in our lives. We make this prayer in the name of the Lord who is with us always. Amen.

Prayer

Eternal God,

It can sometimes be difficult to do your will. Fear, despair, and unbelief can often prevent us from giving ourselves more completely to your hopes for us. May the example of Saint Peter Claver strengthen us in faith and hope that we might be encouraged to overcome the obstacles that prevent us from more readily doing your will. May our renewed faith keep our eyes on you and our hearts of building your kingdom. In faith and hope, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Loving Lord,

Today, we celebrate the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Open our hearts that our lives might reflect the faith of Mary. Her willingness to do your will changed her life and transformed the life of the world. May we, too, cultivate a faith that does your will, that we too might contribute to the building a better world for all. We make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Creator God,

Accept today, O Lord, the prayers we offer with our Jewish sisters and brothers as they celebrate the beginning of a new year. As the trumpet blows this day, may it call us to renewed faith in you, hope for the future, and love for one another. May this new year inspire us to search our hearts that we might be open to your will in our lives. As we recall that you are the creator of all, may our celebration strengthen the bond that unites us with you and stirs us to fulfill our responsibilities to one another. In the name of the God who is our creator, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Lord of labor,

As we celebrate Labor Day, we ask you to send your blessing upon all those who labor. Keep us mindful of the contribution the labor of others makes in and to our lives. Open our eyes and minds to recognize that labor is an important way we participate in your ongoing act of creation. May our labor, when joined to that of others, help to advance your kingdom. In thanksgiving, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty God,

So often, the myriad problems we encounter in the world can threaten to overwhelm us and leave us feeling powerless. Yet, we trust that you will never abandon us. Stir within us the hope that all our actions, no matter how small or ordinary, may contribute to the construction of a better world. Though the mountain you call us to climb may be large, fill us with the confidence that the future is in your hands. We pray in the name of God. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

Fear can so often inhibit us from doing what we know is right. Fill our hearts with your courage that we might rise above our fears. Through the gift of courage, make us steadfast instruments of goodness and truth. May your Holy Spirit cultivate within us, despite our concerns and fears, the courage to do the right and pursue justice. We make this prayer in God’s name. Amen.