Prayer

Almighty Creator,

Thank you for the wisdom in your Word today, which reminds us that all things exist by your loving desire—your joy that they should be. Yes, your goodness is spread abroad in so many ways. In the diversity of all creation. Give us eyes opened to see you in the beautiful things you have made, including our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Prayer

Holy God,

Even if we are gifted with patience for others, we struggle at times to have patience with ourselves. We expect a lot from ourselves and think it should be easier to grow into the people you have made us to be. Remind us in our impatient moments that becoming a saint takes time. Help us embrace the lessons you give us day by day through the people around us. Lead us to be faithful in small things, becoming better neighbors and friends and better partners with you in whatever you send us to do. As those called to the holiness of our humanity, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

There’s nothing trite about recognizing the gifts that keep on giving! Just as you came to bring us abundant life, help us to extend that very same life in ways that may seem so simple, yet they can nonetheless build up the bonds between us and sweeten our days with joy. May we never take for granted those gifts we can give without running short of supply: our words, our smiles, and the gratitude within our hearts. As we share and give thanks for your abundant life, we pray. Amen.

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.