Prayer

God of peace,

Each day, the news is filled with stories of violent conflict. Whether the violence finds expression in our homes, in our communities, through acts of terror, or war between nations, our world is filled with the many who suffer from acts of violence. Fill our hearts with the gift of your peace. Make us stewards of peace, committed to the resolution of conflict in peaceful ways. On this International Day of Peace, inspire us to be instruments of your peace at home, at work, in our communities, and throughout the world. We pray in the name of Jesus, our crucified Lord. Amen.

Prayer

God of wisdom,

We live in a contentious world, full of division, animosity, and spite. But we know that is not the path to which you call us. Cleanse our minds of the negativity that afflicts our age and purify our hearts that we might seek only to love others. May your spirit of gratitude and kindness soften the hardness of our own hearts and the hearts of others. Help us recognize our common humanity and commit ourselves to being faithful to your call to walk humbly and do justice. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty God,

So often, our lives are limited by the temptation to live in the past or fret about the future. Fill us with your wisdom that we might appreciate the importance of today. Keep us mindful of the needs, concerns, and cares of the people whom we will encounter this day. Let us not be worried about what has passed or be anxious about what has yet to come. Make us steadfast in faith that we desire only to do your will today. We pray in God’s name. Amen.

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.