Reflection    “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones.” –Hebrews 6:10   Prayer   Just God,  The complaints people raise alw

Just God,

The complaints people raise always stand out more than their praise. Meanwhile much of the good work that we do goes unnoticed. As we strive to continue extending your healing ministry, help us take comfort in knowing that you are always fair, that you see us when others do not, and that you do not forget the many ways we help those in need. While none of us are here to gain external awards, we are nonetheless thankful for this reminder from your word today: you are always attentive, and you see our good deeds performed in your name. Amen.

     

 
   “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” –Nelson Mandela   Prayer   Liberating God,  You call us to embody some radical vir

Liberating God,

You call us to embody some radical virtues, perhaps none more radical than forgiveness. As you have shown us, forgiveness means more than simply ignoring or overlooking the harms we have suffered. It means surrendering our rightful claims of justice to you, so you can transform our wounds into freedom. So challenging! For our own sake today, give us the strength to forgive those who have wronged us, that we may be freed of bitterness and hatred and filled with your transforming love. Amen.

     

 
   “What you do on your bad days matters more than what you do on your good days.”   –Kevin Kelly   Prayer   Always Good God,  May we never take for granted those rare and precious days when everything seems to go right. Because we know that

Always Good God,

May we never take for granted those rare and precious days when everything seems to go right. Because we know that it is precisely when times are tough that you call us to rely on our inner strength and character to make it through. Help us, then, to be ready for the bad days, by devoting ourselves daily to the habits and practices that nurture our inner foundations. Amen.

     

 
   “I like an escalator because an escalator can never break. It can only become stairs.” –Mitch Hedberg   Prayer   God of the new,  Different perspectives can alter our expectations about even the most ordinary experiences. We need people a

God of the new,

Different perspectives can alter our expectations about even the most ordinary experiences. We need people around us who can refresh our vision in such ways. People who are blessed with unique insight and creative thinking. People who help us to see the world through new lenses, so that we might find new and accessible solutions to the problems we face together. Inspire us all towards new perspectives and fresh ways of thinking today, so that our work in this ministry can better serve the needs of our patients, families, and our broader communities. Amen.

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

God our refuge and strength,

We unite with others across the globe today, to remember those whose lives are upended by terrorism year upon year. We give them voice today and renew our commitment not to look away from the injustice they suffer. May we honor the memory of those who have died—those we have known and those who will never be known—by lending concrete support to those who presently live amid fears and threats of violence. In solidarity with them, we pray for your kingdom to come, with its healing and liberation, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection   “Love and truth will meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven.” –Psalm 85:11-12   Prayer   Reconciling God,  We may struggle to imagine how all the wrongs will

Reconciling God,

We may struggle to imagine how all the wrongs will somehow be put right. How peace will ever come for all people, near and far. Yet your ways are higher than our ways and the plans that you have made are good and true. In the hope of faith, then, we look forward to a day when the earth itself will meet heaven’s justice. When a new day will dawn, and you will reconcile all things just as they should be. In our work today, may we all do our part in bringing your dream for the world one step closer to reality. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection   “When there is a hill to climb, don’t think that waiting will make it smaller.” –H. Jackson Brown    Prayer   God with us,  Some of the greatest challenges we face in our personal lives have to do with finding direction and

Prayer

God with us,

Some of the greatest challenges we face in our personal lives have to do with finding direction and knowing the “right” path to take. Yet sometimes we know quite clearly which way we should go. We just lack the courage to get started. Give us that courage today. Fill us with determination and discernment, to pursue our calling with purpose and to face our obstacles with joy. After all, you are the one who has called us over the mountains we face, and you promise to accompany us every step of the way. Thank you. Amen.