Prayer

God of new life,

Too many changes make us feel caught in a whirlwind. We feel threatened by changes, as if they might erode the very ground upon which we stand. Despite what we feel, lead us to trust faith’s foundations. Root us again in your love and accompaniment, so we may have confidence that we can weather all storms. Guide us with your indwelling spirit, so we may be free to discern how some of our changes may be blessings in disguise—openings for your new life to spring forth. Make us responsive to the changes you are bringing us today, that we may be a people filled with hope for tomorrow. Amen.

Compassionate God,

As we recognize World Lung Cancer Day, we remember and honor those patients and families who have faced such remarkable challenges with strength, courage, and hope. We take time as well to pray and give thanks for health care professionals charged with their care, and for all those advancing the causes of research and development of new forms of treatment. So many diligent servants united in the cause of providing more concrete solutions and opportunities for compassionate care. With gratitude for all this energy and cooperation, we pray that your healing spirit would be magnified among all those touched by cancer today. Amen.

Prayer

God of life,

Your warnings against materialism are challenging. So many people’s economic security is being threatened right now, by a host of factors. Meanwhile others are profiting unjustly from these unprecedented circumstances. As we try to work through the widespread changes affecting our communities, we pray for greed to give way to selfless generosity. Let those who have more give to those who have less. And may we all learn the deeper lessons at stake, so often embodied by those who are in fact poorest among us: that life consists in more than the acquisition of possessions and that the greatest of joys come through sharing with all those in need. Amen.

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.