Prayer

God of Work,

Today we cherish the memory of St. Andrew the Apostle. Just like Andrew, you have called us each by name and invite us to follow you into new life. In so doing, we pray that we, like Andrew—who dropped his nets and yet became a new kind of fisherman—we pray that we might also discover how you will use our ordinary work to transform the world in extraordinary ways. In the confidence of such a calling, let us be grateful for the work you have given each of us to do today. May we approach whatever we do as an invitation to do good, uplift each other, and glorify you. Amen.

Prayer

Holy Creator,

The writing has been on the wall for some time: we have not stewarded your creation wisely. We have not loved earth our mother with appropriate devotion. Instead we have pilfered the world’s resources for the sake of our own dreams and visions. Nightmares often have followed. Forgive us, God, for the mess we have made of your beautiful world. Heal our hearts above all, that we might love the world as a sign of our devotion to you. Maker of heaven and earth renew our sense of urgency for the calling before us, to cultivate a world worth inheriting for generations to come. Amen.

Prayer of David

“Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
and for you I wait all the day.” –Psalm 25:4-5

Prayer

Joyous Creator,

Heal our eyes so that we may see you again in all things. Like children, dazzled by the simplest of things—rocks, sticks, grandpa’s glasses—may our sight be restored to witness your glory reflected in the world you have made. Heal us especially of the kind of looking that becomes a kind of judging—as if we could so easily measure another person’s value with the speed of a glance. Forgive us, Merciful God, for such reckless acts of judgment. Lead us instead to behold you in the most unlikely places, and especially in those faces we are otherwise prone to overlook. Amen.

Prayer

All-seeing God,

To be known and loved by you is truly the greatest gift. You see us as we really are, and you love us anyway! Help us share this same gift with and for each other. Let there be no strangers among us, as we practice seeing every one of our neighbors as an icon of your presence. May we be attentive, one to another, and grace each other tenderly with such a simple but generous gift of attention. Amen.

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.