Prayer

God of vocation,

Today we lift up those on our front lines, the hands and the feet of our mission. Every day they respond to your call and are willingly sent to bring “good help” into the lives of so many. Even without a pandemic their work is strenuous, and we know for how long they’ve carried a much greater burden. May they be encouraged today as we lend our support. Prompt others to answer your call and come to their aid. May we all be willing to answer the call and be sent. Amen.

Prayer

Healing God,

Many times, we have felt the joy that comes from extending your healing presence in the lives of others. It makes us feel humble in the very best sense: grateful, that we get to play our own small parts in the ever-greater work you are doing in the world today. Yet we also know the other side, too: how your call to serve is often inconvenient, frequently frustrating, and many times just plain exhausting. In times such as these, when our spirits are willing, but our flesh feels so weak… or even when our spirits are weary as well…Lead us to rest a while with you that our enthusiasm and dedication might be renewed. Amen.

Prayer

Healing God,

We hold in our hearts all of those affected by cancer. Friends and family and neighbors. Those now in the fight, those still under threat, and all those who’ve passed on. May we honor them all by not wasting our days, but instead make the most of the time you have given. We remember as well the victims of heart disease. We wear red today to show our support, and to raise greater awareness for the need for prevention and cure and compassion. For both these great causes, help us extend every effort to be agents of change and bring your healing to all. One day, we know, all suffering will cease, and disease itself will be defeated. Until that day comes, let Mother Teresa’s words be our own: “we have only today, let us begin.” We pray as one ministry, united by your call to heal, Amen.

Prayer

God over all,

As we continue celebrating Black History month, we ask you to lead us further along the pathways of racial harmony and social equality. We honor the progress made by those gone before us. Yet we still have such need of your healing grace, inside and between us. So that we might love one another as you have loved us. So that we might transform our vision and shed the lies of our biases—our feeble attempts to judge and define one another. Today, tomorrow, this month and beyond, may we commit to embody the affirmation, respect, and defense of each person’s dignity. May we live truly as one human family, in all the ways you have taught us: doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with you. Amen.

Prayer

Saving God,

So many faithful servants before us longed to see your salvation. And then, in the coming of your son, human eyes beheld the very hope of deliverance. Like Simeon’s song upon seeing the Christ-child, may we too be filled with this gift of perception. May we have faith to see you in the course of our day, as we seek to extend your healing compassion to those in need. In our encounters with patients and families, as we support those threatened by poverty, as we take care of our wounded in tangible ways… Grant us the sight to see you through it all, behind every face that we serve today. Amen.

Prayer

God of harmony,

Today we honor the life of Saint Brigid, a woman of peace. In the midst of conflict, she brought harmony. In darkness, she brought light, to the downcast she brought hope. Inspire us through the example of Saint Brigid to care for those who are poor and oppressed. Open our hearts to the joy of your presence and our ears to the power of your voice. Rooted in your love and consoled by your presence, may we be instruments of peace, hope, and light for all we encounter this day and every day. Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,

It’s sad but still true: we learn from experience to wear invisible armor, to buffer the words of so many that we encounter. So many words used as weapons around us. Or even just careless words, spewed without sense, which still cause such damage and sting us in spirit. Help us be different, abounding in sweetness. As we share in the Chinese New Year this coming week, let our gifts and our mooncakes remind us to be agents of sweetness in a world that can often be bitter. In our words and our works, may we follow the footsteps of holy exemplars like John Bosco, who engaged in life-giving ministry with and for those who were poor and vulnerable, and never relinquished a sweetness of spirit. Amen.