Prayer

God our help,

In many ways we are grieving today as a world, as wars and violence and economic distress wreak disastrous effects upon those who are poorest. As a global community we are living through such troubled times. We long to find ways to acknowledge this suffering and work through it together. Yet the problems are vast and there are no easy solutions. We ask you to lead us into new paths of compassion in action, new ways to cooperate, and new ways to liberate those who are most at risk of entrapment, exploitation, and overall harm. Amen.

Prayer

God of community,

We are a data-driven people, obsessed with analytics aimed at efficiency. There’s not a thing wrong with this posture, for indeed we are called to be good stewards of the resources you give, and we desire wholeheartedly to improve the quality of the work that we share. As we do so, however, let us remember that the most important measure of our life together is the way that we consider, include, and respond to those who are most poor and vulnerable among us. Remind us today, as a broader community and as one human family, that we are only as healthy as the care and protection we give to those most in need. Amen.

Prayer

Caring Spirit,

You gave us a rule of such challenging simplicity: to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Yet for many of us, especially those drawn to care for the needs of others, the second part of that rule can be hard to put into practice. We see caregivers and colleagues neglect and empty themselves in ways that cannot be sustained. We owe it to them to intervene. To support them and care for them in a spirit of love. Perhaps above all we must pray for them, that your Spirit would awaken within them and sound the alarm: to take care of themselves is a sign of their love for others. Open all our hearts in this way, to practice the wisdom of your rule for life. Amen.

Prayer

God of justice,

Seeing the world in all its fury and pain, we are tempted sometimes to run away, to turn our back on the world because it all feels like too much to face. Yet you have called us to do more than find a path of escape. You call us to invest and plant and build, to make your love concrete in big and small ways in the lives that we share with others. Show us today how we can foster a genuine spirit of collaboration, so that the anger and violence among us might be transformed into good help and well-being for all. In your great compassion and peace, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Self-giving God,

There are some basic functions of the heart that we need to practice more often. As we challenge each other in the work that we share, we need to know how to say I am sorry. And we need to know how to give praise for a job well done. With no strings attached, let our apologies and compliments be quickly expressed, so the culture of ministry we are building together may always be free of manipulation, deceit, and selfish attention. May we each feel the responsibility to ensure we remain a place “where associates want to work, clinicians want to practice, people seek wellness and communities thrive.” In the hope we share with you for our world, Amen.

Prayer

God of my colleagues,

We give thanks today and celebrate the holy humanity of St. Benedict, who was so influential in establishing authentic communities, fueled by everyday service and practical love. In our own ministry of health care, we recall that our “hospitals” today are extensions of the tradition that Benedict fanned into flame, expressing care for the sick and showing real “hospitality” to travelers needing shelter and care. Benedict’s practical spirit reminds us that being saintly never means being less than human. Inspired by his example, and as we share in your work, may we encourage one another as we offer hospitality and care to those we serve. Amen.

Prayer

God of compassion,

We ask you to bless us again today with your spirit of compassion, so that we might see one another in the dignity of our creation and to serve every neighbor as you would have us do. Lead us to see beyond labels that divide and distinguish, the layers of politics and nationality; race, class, and gender; every wall we create between “us” and “them.” Inspire us all to embody our common humanity by acting on behalf of any among us who are hurting, in need, and vulnerable. For we are all your children. Amen.