Prayer

Merciful God,

So many among us are struggling today, with invisible wounds and deep-buried pain. So many hearts hurting, anxious and fearful, while minds go on whirring with worries that won’t go away. We know it is so, for in different degrees we all learn this art and we practice it well: of putting on face, engineering composure, speaking in mottos we hardly believe: “we do what we must” and “this too will pass.” At least so we say!

Yet you, Great Physician, are not easily fooled. You look through façades, you see our true hearts, and—what a thought—you love all of us. Healed by your gaze, help us follow your way, and freely extend your compassion to all those in need. May it be so! Amen.

Prayer

Eternal God,

We know that change is the only constant in life. Yet we also face times when the speed and scale of transition can be near overwhelming. Arrest us, Lord, in precisely those moments. Help us to stop… breathe… and remember… You hold every season in your hand. You have appointed a time for every one of your purposes. Comfort us in that knowledge, restore the sense of our freedom, and grace us to grow in perfection through the changes you give. Amen.

Prayer

God of mercy and justice,

You came that we may have life and have it abundantly. Ignite our desire to realize more and more of what your life means here and now, where the subtle schemes of death our enemy so often prevail: the daily injustices we’re prone to ignore, the lies we’ve been trained to tolerate, the wrongs we think we’re too weak to set right. Against these death-dealing ways, we commit ourselves again this day to choose life, knowing full well what this means: to stand up for what’s right, upholding justice and truth. Amen.

Prayer

Generous and gracious God,

What joy! What promise! What a sweet invitation! To awaken this day inspired to believe in your goodness and that you delight to give good gifts to your children. Renew our sense of expectation. Heal us of despair, doubt, and discouragement—anything that would rob us of the simple confidence instilled by your words. Grace us instead to continue believing, that our asking is not in vain, our seeking will not disappoint, and our knocking will not leave us stranded outside in the cold. Thank you for availing us of your generosity, guidance, and hospitality. Amen.

Prayer

God of All Splendor,

Your world is filled with wonders waiting to be witnessed and enjoyed! And yet if we’re honest, we must admit there are times when the worries and cares of the day make it hard to perceive the new gifts attending each moment. Our powers of awareness grow dull, desensitized by familiarity as much as the rest of life’s noisy clamor. Call us back to the wild wisdom of simply being present to the world you created. Re-awaken our soul’s capacity to witness your beauty and to share that beauty with others. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty God,

At times our world seems filled with so much tumult and strife, division and chaos. We want to change it for the better. Where do we start? Humble us, Lord, and save us from our own cleverness! Help us lean not on our own understanding but to learn the wisdom of starting within. Give us courage and strength to follow the examples of those who, through their self-transformation and response to adversity, inspired others to do the same, spreading peace and love far and wide. Amen.

Prayer, of St. Francis

Lord,

Make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me sow pardon. Where there is doubt, let me sow faith. Where there is despair, let me sow hope. Where there is darkness, let me sow light. Where there is sadness, let me sow joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love, for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.