Prayer

God of goodness,

We live in challenging times. But the challenges we face remind us of the importance of goodness. Stir within us the desire to embody goodness in our lives. Use us as your instruments, Lord, that the goodness we extend to others might help us to confront together the challenges we face. Fill our hearts with the courage to trust that we each have the capacity to improve the world. We offer this prayer in the name of God. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

Each day is a chance to begin again. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I might have eyes to see the possibilities today brings. Open my heart to the people I will encounter this day. Open my mind to pursue the knowledge that gives rise to love. And help me always to cultivate a life open to sharing your goodness and grace with others. We make this prayer in the name of the Lord who is with us always. Amen.

Prayer

Eternal God,

Sometimes it can be a struggle to translate good intentions into acts of service and compassion. Inspire us by the example of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian that the thoughts we think and the words we say will find expression in the deeds we do. May their example be a light to our feet, that we might stay faithful to the path you call us to follow. In faith and hope, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Merciful God,

At sundown this evening begins the celebration of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year. We join in prayer with our Jewish sisters and brothers as they celebrate this feast of repentance and forgiveness. Lord of all, may this holy day inspire us to repent of our mistakes and sins, seek forgiveness from you and one another, and promote reconciliation through our renewed efforts to do your will in our lives. Keep us always steadfast in love and generous in mercy. Amen.

Prayer

Crucified God,

On the night before he died, your son Jesus stated that no greater love existed than the willingness to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You showed your limitless love for us through the willingness of Jesus to give his life for us on the cross. Fill us with gratitude for the suffering he endured that we might enjoy newness of life. And give us the courage to serve all those in our day hang on crosses of sickness, injustice, and violence. May we strive always to do your will as Jesus did, even when such service requires great sacrifice. We pray in the name of Jesus, our crucified Lord. Amen.

Prayer

God of the saints,

Saints are often portrayed in ways that can make them difficult to relate to as people. They are serious people without humor. As we celebrate the memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, may his belief in the refreshing power of humor transform our appreciation of the witness of the saints. And may it renew our dedication to doing the will of God, a commitment that found such unique expression in the life of Saint John Chrysostom. With appreciation for the gift of humor, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty God,

Recognizing the myriad problems we encounter in the world can tempt us to despair of a better future. In such times, it is all the more important that we turn to you in faith and prayer. Fill us with the hope that, despite the challenges confronting us, the future is in your hands. Renew within us the gift of hope and give us the courage to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the construction of God’s future. We pray in God’s name. Amen.