Prayer

Always good God,

May those who are gathering with friends and family today be filled with genuine joy and gratitude for the love they are privileged to share. May those who are working today, providing the care and essential services that we all rely on no matter the day—may they receive an abundance of rest and refreshment in exchange for their sacrifices. And for all those who are suffering today, grieving the absence of belonging or struggling to feel grateful, we pray that a spirit of hospitality would impel those around them to gather them in, lift up their hearts, and love and support them. With thanks to you, for your unending love and faithfulness to us, Amen.

Prayer

Holy Love,

We celebrate the life of St. Columbanus today, whose passion in ministry serves as inspiration for us, that we might be as bold in our convictions and as eager to embody your love for the world. May we follow this trailblazing saint and walk in his footsteps, becoming all things to all people: gentle to the weak, firm to the stubborn, steadfast to the proud, and humble to the lowly. For the good help of all those we have the privilege to serve, Amen.

Prayer

Great Defender,

Extending your healing ministry impels us to follow you, not only in works of mercy and healing, but also in the work of advocacy. Lending our voices on behalf of those who are most in need of compassion and liberation. Encourage us all to be willing to extend also this side of your ministry, that we might boldly defend and promote the dignity of every person, especially those who are most in need of our voice. Those who have lost their own voice and the support they deserve. Those who are poor, marginalized, oppressed, and suffering. Make us vocal and true friends of all your beloved. In your name we pray, Amen.

Prayer

God of my neighbor,

We all go through times and seasons when we search for you eagerly in the world around us. Yet you are not hidden from us. Remind us that our days are laced with sacred encounters, if we would but open our eyes and our hearts to them. Moments in which our service to others brings us face to face with your very own image and likeness. Liberate us today from any obstacle that would prevent us from seeing you in our neighbor. May we live into your promise that by serving them faithfully, with devotion and focus, we are at the same time serving you. Amen.

Prayer

God over all,

Today, on Christ the King Sunday, we are inspired by the faith-filled conviction that your rule and reign has been established on earth. We wait for its fulfillment, and yet in so many ways we see every day how your kingdom of justice and peace is already among us. As we celebrate this life-giving truth today, we ask for your strength and endurance to embody it more and more. For the sake of our patients and families and the broader communities in which we live. Indeed, for our own sake as well. Let your dream for our world be made more and more a reality. Here and now and through us we pray, Amen.

Prayer

Creator God,

Let a childlike spirit be revived within us, that we may rediscover the mystery and wonder of your creation. Let the trees and rocks and streams and mountains around us speak to us again, about the delight that you take in life. Abundant life. May we feel playful again and even in love with the world you have made for us. Inspire us thereby to take better care of what we love. As those who are called to steward your great gift of creation, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God over all,

Your expectations for how we should live are clear and demanding. Your heart is turned unflinchingly towards those who are vulnerable, and you call us to live in the same way, that we might serve you by serving them. Lead us to become better servants of all, but especially to those who are without material resources to provide for themselves; those without the support of family and friends, or who are away from the comforts of their cultures of origin; any who are otherwise marginalized or excluded. May we be a community of genuine care and concern for them. Because we are one, we pray. Amen.