Prayer

Liberating God,

Today we raise our voices with others around the globe calling for an end to human trafficking. We are united by an unflinching desire to see sisters and brothers freed from all forms of modern enslavement and by our commitment to change the systemic conditions that continue to fuel this injustice. Help us not to look the other way or think this only a problem somewhere else and far away, for it is sadly all too near. Near or far, it insults the dignity we all share as children before you. And so in our communities, neighborhoods, country, and world, lead us to be agents of change who strive to protect all those who are vulnerable. Amen.

Prayer

God of simplicity,

Sometimes we expect too little of ourselves, not too much. Failing to find a singular purpose and calling, we get tied up in knots by trying to go a million directions at once. Wisdom calls us to pursue a better way. As saints and sages attest, it’s the divided self who grows weary and tired, whereas a genuine vocation demands our whole being. If we would give our whole selves to a purpose and mission bigger than us, we may find our way to simplicity and peace. Make it so for each of us today! As we respond more and more to your calling and purpose for us, give us refreshment and joy in the path you provide. Amen.

Prayer

Accompanying God,

We love shortcuts! We are prone to jump at the promise of any new “hack” for this or that chore. Even in those important decisions affecting our ambitions, hopes, and dreams… Even then we can be tempted to find an easy way out of the challenge, investment, and effort required. And yet we know better. The journeys that matter are those that take us the long way around, including the mission you started and that we share today. As we strive to extend your compassionate ministry, help us accompany one another in a spirit of comradery. May we encourage each other to avoid the shortcuts while reminding each another that the effort and sacrifice makes the journey worthwhile. For the life of the world, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Compassionate God,

We live in a society where passions and convictions about so many issues are making it harder for us to engage in a spirit of openness and dialogue, especially with those who see the world differently. We are incited to take sides against others and appear to be forgetting that, as one human family before you, we share a common origin and destiny. As important as our issues may be, lead us back to the path of compassion. Help us to put people ahead of agendas and be willing to enter another’s experience, ready to hear their stories of fear and hope about the directions we are headed together. As we all work to shape a better tomorrow, make us brave enough to leave no one behind. Amen.

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

We are dedicated as a ministry to the cause of environmental justice and care for creation. Yet the challenges here are so immense that we stand in constant need of new hope and fresh inspiration. May we regain inner strength today by imagining how future generations will describe what we did with the world before them. In big ways and small, may our actions in creation become signs of our investment in their livelihood. Amen.

Prayer

God of charity,

Help us to practice the wisdom of the ancients, which is even confirmed by the best of our science today. When we hold on to old grudges and refuse to move past the wrongs done to us, we can grow sick in mind, body, and spirit. Help us to practice this wisdom today as we go about serving your people. Make us quick to forgive and to overlook others’ faults. May we not take offense or stew on the ways we’ve been hurt, but follow your rule instead: treating all people the way we would want to be treated, no matter what they may say or do unto us. Amen.

Prayer

God who is there,

Your word inspires us today to continue asking, seeking, and knocking. Give us patience and stamina to do so. When we are tempted to let go of the dreams we have prayed for friends and family or even ourselves, lead us to rest again in your comforting promise. Those who ask, receive; those who seek, find; those who knock will be shown open doors. As we await your hospitality, provision, and deliverance, let there be others around us to encourage and remind us that there is always a reason to hope. Amen.