Prayer

Liberating God,

You did not promise us that following you would be easy. In fact, you told us quite plainly that it will be hard. And for a number of reasons. We still struggle to do as you’ve commanded: to return love for hate, to include the outcast, and to admit the things we’ve done wrong. Yet these are the moral challenges we all must face if we are to live in the liberation you have won for us, through your very own body and blood. Lead us, inspire us, and keep us devoted to the moral calling of becoming more and more your family on earth. Amen.

Prayer

Compassionate Healer,

We celebrate today the life and witness of your remarkable servant, St. Laurence O’Toole. Give us a measure of Laurence’s commitment to live in solidarity with the poor and vulnerable. Just as Laurence expressed “true religion” by caring for orphans, the oppressed, and those in poverty, may we also have our eyes on those who are wanting for genuine community, love and belonging, and healing in the broadest sense. Amen.

Prayer

Source of all kindness,

We hardly need reminding that our world needs more kindness. Yet on this day especially, we take time to acknowledge the universal power of kindness across the world over. No matter our creed, race, gender, or class, we are called to show kindness towards our brothers and sisters, and we are made to receive the kindness that others show unto us. Fill us anew each day with your Spirit of kindness, that we all may see your kingdom of kindness come more fully among us, on earth as it is heaven. Amen.

Prayer

God our Maker,

Lead us to serve you by serving those made in your image, especially those who are poor, dying, and underserved. As you have shown us all throughout the Scriptures, you are closest to those most in need of help, protection, healing and provision. Help us to find you among these, your loved ones, today. Make us more ready to serve in places others will not, standing in the gap for all those who are vulnerable, accompanying them and journeying side by side. Amen.

Prayer

God of peace,

We always have cause to be grateful for those who serve and protect our country, so that we might enjoy the blessings of freedom. Yet today especially, on what is the anniversary of the end of hostilities in World War I, we raise a collective voice of gratitude for the faithfulness, selflessness, and bravery of all veterans, living and dead, and pray for your blessing upon them. Amen.

Click HERE for a short Veterans Day prayer service.

Prayer

Fount of Every Blessing,

We pray today for all our caregivers. Those you have gifted, equipped, and called to bless others with genuine kindness and quality care. We ask that they might receive a double portion of blessing in return for all of their service. As they continue each day, extending your ministry in times of challenge and change, fill them with the care and love that they need to be healthy and whole, fulfilled in the work they perform. And when they enter particular seasons of adversity or pain and need care themselves, may they find a community of support already there, eager to serve them as they have served others. Amen.

Prayer

God of our becoming,

We are aware that our doing and our being are intimately connected. Yet still we can get so wrapped up in worry about what we ought to do next that we forget to stop and ask: who we are called to be? and who we are in fact becoming? Remind us today, of who we are before you, as servants of the abundant life you came to share with us, and through us, the world. Lead us on the path of becoming who you have called us to be above all else, that we might do and say what we should. For our own sake as well as the sake of those we are serving, we pray. Amen.