Prayer

Ever-listening God,

Today we join our prayers for the world with those of our friends, family, and neighbors. We are especially mindful of the spiritual connections we share with all people of faith. In unity and concern, we come before you with an urgent desire to carry the weak, to hold up the vulnerable, and to search for pathways of healing for all those who are wounded in mind, body, and spirit. Let our prayers be effective today, that your kingdom might come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven! Amen.

Prayer

God of Love for all,

Help us continue the good work already begun by those who are breaking the stigma that lingers around mental health issues. Give us the freedom as a people, as a culture and simply as neighbors, to live out our solidarity one with another, offering hands of support to all those in need. Let there be no reason among us for anyone to feel unworthy of help and support. Rather, in a spirit of unity, help us acknowledge we all are vulnerable in various ways and commit to building a common foundation for all to experience health and life to the full. Amen.

Prayer

Divine Presence,

We are troubled at times with questions and cares that we would love to bring to you directly. Someday we will, but until then we seek and we pray. We listen and look for your comforting presence. As we continue to search, give us patience with questions that cause us to struggle, and release us from worrying about what we cannot control. Above all else, continue to be near us through the world you have made. Day after day, night after night, let creation itself speak in your name. Amen.

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.