Prayer

Eternal Light,

Around the world today, many celebrants will focus their gaze upon the invincible power of candle-flame—an image so vivid it symbolizes hope. Thank you, God, for making this hope secure, as the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. For all those who need hope today, we pray for the gift of faith and the grace to see, now and hereafter: victory over evil, truth over ignorance, life over death. Bring us all to your joy, peace, and happiness. Amen.

Prayer

Healing God,

We admit we are prone to take short-cuts to avoid things we don’t like. We do the same with our pain. Distracting ourselves with diversions, submerging our pain with our schedules, busying the day and never stopping to breathe, lashing out at another—almost without warning. Fill us, Lord, with courage to embrace transformation. Lead us to transform our pain into healing, so we can spread healing, not hurt, to others in need. Amen.

Prayer

Living God,

Today, Lord of Life, we are humbled in mind and heart, remembering all those who died in your mercy. Where are they, God? What has become of them? Thank you for the comfort that comes with your word today—the solace it gives just knowing you hold them. In the palm of your hand, in the peace beyond understanding—unite us, your family spread across time and space. Amen.

Prayer, from the Dominican Litany of Saints

God,

Source of all holiness, you have enriched your church with many gifts in the saints. Direct, O Lord, our actions by your holy inspirations, and carry them on by your gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may always begin with you, and through you be happily ended. Amen.

Prayer

God of Creation,

We marvel today at the change of the seasons. While change is often unwelcome, today it is not. We feel the air turning brisk as we walk down the street; we see leaves letting go, catch the scent of a fire nearby, and—just like that—a change of perspective or a memory triggered. Thank you, God, that we can still be awakened by this world you have given. Help us let go of what hinders, in ways that are healthy and beautiful, in keeping with your good designs. Amen.

Prayer

Where would we be without you, God?

Left to our own devices in a world of upheaval, we struggle to find secure footing. Living on guard, knowing that one wrong step is all it could take to trigger disaster: one lost paycheck, one bad accident, one poor decision. Our lives often feel fragile, Lord. Show us your mercy. By your sustaining power, may we walk into the future you’ve planned for us—confident, and trusting your goodness. Amen.

Prayer

God of Wisdom,

We blabber too much! We rant and we rave in a cacophony of monologues. Social media, 24-hr news channels, endless transmissions of bits and bytes without context. What does it all come to? Let our words be few. You are God and we are not. Despite our temptations to “have to say something,” help us relearn the wisdom of silence. And if we must speak—if we truly “have something to say”—give us patience at least just to think before we open our mouths. Inspire us, so that we might use words in the ways that you use them—to create a meaningful world, to build trusting relationships, and to express love above all. Amen.