Prayer

Unconditional Love,

How challenging it can be for us to live out your mission! We know we’ve been called to serve those who are poor, underserved, and dying. Yet if we are honest, we are all guilty at times of sitting in judgment of those who come through our doors. Forgive us. When we fail to embody your gospel fully, by holding back your compassion from those we deem undeserving… Renew us today by grace, as we renew our commitment to show your love and concern for all people, without condition or judgment. Amen.

Prayer

Word of Life,

May our daily lives reflect the hope of our salvation, which you have won for us and which the saints now enjoy in the fullness of your presence. Thankful for the example of faith that they left us, especially Mary, your mother, we pray for our own words and deeds to become a source of hope for those who are hopeless. As we accompany each other towards life’s open future, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Merciful God,

Today we may have colleagues who may be struggling in various ways. In solidarity with them, we call out to you for your deliverance, comfort, and new life. Make us each more willing to let your word come alive through us as we support and strengthen each other in tangible ways. May we become agents of your liberation to those needing a firm place to stand, and may we hold each other steady in the next steps ahead. Amen.

Prayer

God over all,

You have called us to partner with you in transforming the world. As we strive to do so faithfully, help us also remember that you are God and we are not. It is your mission we seek to extend by contributing what we can out of what we have. Beyond that is, indeed, beyond us. Help us, then, to find a deeper freedom by embracing our limits and trusting you with the rest. With gratitude for the mission that you’ve shared with us, Amen.

Prayer

God of the humble,

We are tempted sometimes to think that world-changing power depends on the title we’ve been given or the salary we make or the number of people we direct. Yet in the ministry you started and that we strive to embody, we’ve seen too much evidence to the contrary. The power to make a difference often comes from the humblest of hearts. So while our offering may be little and our efforts look paltry in the eyes of the world, you have shown us how your compassionate love can magnify the effects of whatever we bring to the table. No matter our role and function today, empower us to make a real difference in the places we live, work, and play. Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,

Today we give thanks for the life and witness of St. Clare of Assisi, who blazed a new trail for women to live in community, devoting their lives to prayer and communion with you. Inspired by Clare’s example and the sisters who followed her, lead us into new experiences of community in our own ways today. May we always be mindful of Clare’s wisdom about the transformative power of love. “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” Amen.

Prayer

Transforming God,

Sometimes we confuse stubbornness for resilience, as if our dogged resistance to change were a reason to be proud! The saints have lessons to teach us if only we’d open our hearts. Rather than thinking we should call on you to change whatever we don’t like about life, we can learn to let you transform us instead, from the inside out. Today, then, we welcome you to change us by your spirit, that we might be empowered to be your agents of change and transformation for others. Amen.