Prayer

God of all blessing,

As our Muslim brothers and sisters conclude Ramadan with a holy feast, we all give thanks for the blessings of charity in our lives. In big ways and small, we all are connected in webs of giving and receiving that sustain us together, as one human family. Help us to be more mindful of these connections, and in gratitude for all we have received, renew in us a sincere and urgent desire to care for our neighbors, loving them as we love ourselves. Amen.

Prayer

We continue to struggle as a ministry and as a people, through the challenge of pandemic and the anxious exhaustion caused by many transitions. Yet we have also borne witness to the way your presence can comfort and restore through every occasion for mourning. And so, while there is surely a time to weep and lament, there is a time for laughter and dancing as well, as we marvel at the way you continue to lead us, through even the valley of death, transforming our darkness to light. Today, then, give us cause for more dancing! We choose to lift up our hearts to you. Amen.

Prayer

God over all,

Help us to be more grateful for our freedom to enjoy simple things, like taking a walk or breathing the spring-time air. When the pressures of work and the demands of caregiving seem too much to bear, teach us to welcome the little opportunities to refresh our spirits and give us a new sense of perspective. Lead us to find our way back to gratitude through the simplest of joys. Amen.

Prayer

Holy God,

Today we draw inspiration by remembering the life of St. Catherine of Siena. In a time of widespread plague and poverty, Catherine nursed those who were sick and poor with a generous, fearless spirit. In a time of political hostility, she travelled widely and effectively as an ambassador of peace. In a time of moral confusion and wayward leadership, she called for reform in the Church and corrected church leaders with such wisdom and clarity we hail her now as a Doctor of the Church. For this saint’s inspiring life, we give thanks and pray for a share in her boldness, for the sake of our mission today. Amen.

Prayer

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer,

You are so faithful in providing for us. Yet we know many are in need of even basic necessities that we take for granted. Near and far, there are those who are unable to satisfy their stomachs, while we carelessly send so much to waste. Today, connect our desire to serve the poor and vulnerable with our own everyday habits with food. Forgive us for wasting and lead us to become better stewards. With gratitude for your provision, inspire us to ensure equal provision for all. Amen.

Prayer

God who hears,

We all know the difference between a genuine fear and the petty anxieties we often worry over that we can actually do nothing about. When faced with actual fears, a poor prognosis, a loved one in need, a crippling debt, we need the help and the comfort of someone who hears us. Thank you for your own promise, that you hear and answer whenever we seek you. Send others as well into our lives, confidants that we can rely on to hold us up, pray with, and encourage us forward. Give us stories to tell of how you delivered us from all our fears. Amen.

Prayer

God of hope,

There is no denying the pain and the suffering we see in our world today. We see senseless destruction in places like Ukraine. We weep for innocent victims, for children, and for the injustice of it all. In our own neighborhoods, too, we feel overwhelmed at times by the brokenness around us. Yet we are people who refuse to cower at darkness. As long as today is “today,” we come before you and ask for new vision, refreshment, and hope for the mission you have given. As your children, send us into the world as agents of peace and justice. Empower us to make a new future of light and love for all. Amen.