Prayer

God of all wisdom,

You know us more intimately than we know ourselves. You already know what relationships, experiences, and interactions with others we need, in order to grow as we should. Some people come to us as obvious blessings, pointing us in healthy directions and helping us to move forward. Others pose more of a challenge and calling, requiring our time and attention and our own care and support. Whoever you bring into our lives, give us patience and kindness with each interaction, trusting that we have something new to learn about love through the people you send us today. Amen.

Prayer

God over all,

We feel beset today by troubling circumstances and unique challenges. Whether it concerns our families and relationships, our community’s well-being and stability, the economic and financial outlook for our nation and world. As we look at these issues, help us take heart knowing that every age has struggled with the gap between the way things are and the way we long for them to be. Help us respond not with despair, but by daily committing to see your rule and reign come more fully among us, especially through our own readiness to participate in your good purposes on earth. Amen.

Prayer

Ever-working God,

We operate in a fast-paced environment, in which we know we must perform well and stay ahead of so many changes if we have any hope of remaining strong as an organization. Yet in the midst of all that, help us slow down and never become hurried in the things that matter most: the way we treat each other, the way we listen and care for patients and families, the way we engage community need. In our human interactions as one human family, help us give one another the gift of our time and attention, trusting that everything will fall into place. Amen.

Prayer

God of light,

As many of our colleagues begin the festivities of Diwali, we pause and give thanks for the power of light over darkness. Shed your light abroad in our hearts today, that we might illumine the places we serve and put the shadows to flight. Brighten the world through our lives of service and dedication, as we strive to express your compassionate love to all those in need. Amen.

Prayer

God of justice,

As your word proclaims, so we shall pray: Let the prayers of the lowly pierce the clouds. Let the cry of the oppressed inspire your action on earth. Without partiality, use us to minister justice in our relations, neighborhoods, and world. For the sake of those most in need, Amen.

Prayer

God of life,

We know the life of faith involves risk, yet we often find reasons to hunker down and remain in our respective zones of comfort. Give us courage instead to step out more. Lead us to become more like Peter your disciple, who followed your voice and walked on water. Yes, may we follow the examples of all of those who stand out in our ministry’s history, risking their own sense of safety and security, so that your compassionate ministry could freely reach those most in need. Amen.

Prayer

God our joy,

May we never underestimate the power of a smile. A face shining with joy can be such a genuine comfort to people in pain, experiencing loneliness and isolation, all those who are desperate for hope. As we gather our hearts and minds in prayer today, we ask that each one of our associates might have a new experience of your indwelling spirit and the joy that it brings. Let it spring up from within, so that every patient, family member, colleague and neighbor might be graced with the gift of a hospitable smile. For our sake as much as for those that we serve, Amen.