Prayer

Gracious God,

Thanksgiving occupies such a powerful place in our hearts. For some it is a source of love’s warmth, as we gather together and offer our gifts of thanks, for each other and the good things that fill our lives. For others, these same gatherings are painful and strained, as we are confronted all over again with the wounds of old stories. Above all this difference, God, we ask you to bless every heart with a sense of your faithfulness to us. We are one human family in need of your grace, and you have not left us empty. And so with thanks in our hearts, we ask you to bless every table, whatever the fare, so that all might enjoy an abundance of peace today and a real sense of belonging. Amen.

Prayer

God of the Living,

Your love and concern for us is such a comfort. Our fellowship with you is life itself. Yet you have also made plain that not all will be roses for us. In fact, you assured us: in this world we will have trouble. Even so, God, may we rest in your greater promise, that the darkness will never overcome the eternal light you have shone in the world and into our hearts, the same light in which we will one day see you face to face. In the hope of such a thought, today we remember the Vietnamese martyrs who stood firm in their faith unto death. We ask them to pray for us, that we too may come through our trials unscathed, and share in the joy awaiting us all. Amen.

Prayer

God of Creation,

When we feel distant from you, lead us to embrace your creation and the creatures you have made. Like St. Columbanus, whose life we remember today, lead us to find ways to be close to you by being close to the world you have made. Few of us will embark upon the disciplined life of a monk, yet each of us in our own way can discover the joy of quiet times with nature, watching the birds and animals, exploring your rivers and streams. In so doing, may we be surprised to find you there. Amen.

Prayer

God of Freedom and Love,

Our souls are often restless and anxious. Real rest is hard to find, and though our work is joyful, it is also very taxing. In the midst of it all, you provide us with joy-filled moments of delight, which seem to come from nowhere. When we least expect it, a scene unfolds; the tension cracks; and our smiles cannot be contained. We laugh and feel refreshed. These moments are like little presents to us—good, healthy, and cleansing. And so in our darker days of stress and strain, we thank you for these sweet occasions for joy, levity, and laughter; and we humbly ask for more. Amen.

Prayer

Infinite God,

We are often tempted to forget we are creatures, finite and limited. We pretend we are superhuman, yet the evidence is lacking! Eventually we come to the end of ourselves, and have nothing left to offer the world. We crash, collapse, and collide with the reality of our weakness. Would you help us to pause more, God? To breathe a bit and give ourselves a break? Let us feel the freedom, if not the obligation, to pursue self-care. For the sake of those we serve, help us take care of ourselves. Amen.

Prayer

God of Life,

Humbly we ask to be healed of self-centeredness. To be freed from thinking we occupy the center of the universe, overly focused on our own needs, wants, and desires. As good as it is to live in the present, help us be mindful of our past and our future, especially as these are embodied in the young and the old: living icons of our collective memory and the promise of a shared tomorrow. Change our perspective of what truly matters in our shared life together, so we think less of ourselves and more of those who are most vulnerable. And in so doing, may we experience the fullness of communion that you desire to share with us all. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

So many voices call for our attention. We may know and believe that you have the words of eternal life, yet we are also easily distracted. We have a hard time keeping still and remaining present before you. Give us faithful endurance in this busy world, Lord, so that despite all the noise we may continue to practice the way of discernment and wisdom, listening every day for your voice and following where you lead. Amen.