Prayer

Liberating God,

We celebrate this month with joy and gratitude for the contributions of women yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Give us wisdom to learn from past mistakes and to build a better future together, a future in which all women are recognized for their unique gifts and talents and empowered to use them. As a people united by our common humanity, we commit to upholding the dignity of women for the sake of their fullest flourishing in the mission and calling you have given to each. Amen.

Prayer

Healing God,

Today we lift up all those affected by rare conditions and diseases. For them and their families, we ask you to protect and preserve them in mind, body, and spirit. And if they are ever tempted to feel isolated or alone in their suffering, may we in this ministry stand up and stand out as a community of healing, eager to accompany them in every way. With your heart of compassion, may we extend your embrace to all who are vulnerable, inviting them to share in life-giving play, laughter, and joy. Amen.

Prayer

Word of Life,

The ministry of your son, Jesus, reveals the depths to which you will go to affirm and redeem this human life we have been given. We know a more blessed future awaits us, yet our hope is alive here and now, anchored in the blessings you have already poured out. For the sake of the here and now, lead us to unite our gifts and our talents so that, as one ministry called by your name, we might extend your good news and affirm life together, in big and small ways. Use us today, to redeem the real world in which we live, work, and play. For our neighbors, friends, family, and communities, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of Possibility,

We so often take our freedom for granted. We feel ourselves bound by circumstances beyond our control and start to feel trapped by them. When such feelings befall us, open our eyes to see the horizons of possibility all around. May we dwell again in possibility, looking to you and welcoming your liberating spirit. Empower us again to walk in freedom and love, joyful for the mere sense of living. Amen.

Prayer

God our defender,

You call us to affirm every person’s inestimable value, for we are each made in your image and called into being by your own design. Inspired by your call, help us affirm human dignity in all that we say and do. Even when that means defending it against the attacks of those who would threaten, intimidate, and demean someone else. Whether assaults or displays of harassment are directed against our own associates, or our patients, or their families, or wherever we serve in the community, give us courage as a ministry to say “no” to bullying in all of its forms. Amen.

Prayer

Love who loved us first,

Every day we are challenged to embody the values we hold as a ministry. We sincerely believe in respecting others’ dignity; expressing integrity and sharing compassion; practicing good stewardship as we strive to offer the highest quality service. Yet despite our convictions, we still need your help to make all this real in the lives of our patients, their families, and our wider communities. When interacting with the annoying client, an ungrateful patient, or the vendor making things harder than they need to be, help us show love to those we encounter, the kind of love that transforms even enemies into neighbors and lets our values shine bright. Amen.

Prayer

Word of Life,

It is not always convenient to carve our own way through life’s biggest questions. To go with the flow and follow the crowd is always the easier path. Yet when we are tempted this way, help us remember that uniformity is not the same thing as unity. Give us courage to follow our convictions and take responsibility for our sincerely held beliefs. May we harbor the hope that a more genuine experience of community awaits us, as we embrace the harder but more rewarding path of dialogue, mutual respect, and listening well to the voices of others. Above all else, may we each have the wisdom of St. Polycarp—to know when we must forsake the crowd so as to find you again, in the quiet of our hearts. Amen.