Prayer

God of love,

Forgive us for those times when we fail to guard our tongues and cut others down with our words. Help us protect one another from hurtful speech and cultivate spaces where conversation gives life. Let our words be used to build each other up and to support a healing environment where people are free to be authentic and sincere. And if nothing else, help us follow the wisdom of the ages: if there’s nothing nice to be said, don’t say anything at all! Amen.

Prayer

God of peace,

Anxiety is weird, because it can tempt us to think we’re doing something productive when, in fact, we are not. No amount of worrying can help us deal with the problems we face. You called us instead to put down our anxieties and let go of our worries, that we might learn to rely more fully on you and the goodness you have laced through the world. Help us embrace your teaching more fully and let tomorrow worry about itself, for today is a day to be strengthen by joy, not sorrow. Amen.

Prayer

Unconditional love,

If ever we have received a genuine expression of love, we know it is not a reward for being lovely or good or anything else that might lead us to think we deserve it. Love is a grace, which comes without strings and always before we can earn it. Inspire us today with your love and help us extend it to others as you would have us do. Without conditions or stopping to judge, without thinking about credits and merit, but with the same graciousness that you have shown us. Amen.

Prayer

God beyond time,

From where we are standing the future often looks complicated and we struggle at times to find our bearings. Help us take inspiration from the wisdom of those gone before us, who faced their own difficulties in ways that secured a future for the work that you gave them. We honor especially St. Elizabeth Ann Seton today, whose life of compassionate service is so dear to us in the ministry of health care. Grateful for how she embodied your healing love, we ask for strength to follow her footsteps. Help us to act our part well today, by responding to our challenges with resilience, determination, and hope. For the sake of peaceful, stable future, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God-with-us,

You promised that you would be with us, as we strive to extend your compassion to others. Yet sometimes we look for more concrete assurance that, indeed, you are there. Lead us in such moments to behold your face in the creation you have given. During a walk in the forest or while sitting in the park. Inspire us to pause and consider the goodness of your creation as a sign of your nearness and presence to us. May we open the eyes of our hearts to see you and love you in the world you have made. Amen.

Prayer

Spirit of grace,

Those who serve in this ministry are naturally inspired and enthusiastic about helping others in need. Yet for a number of reasons it can be hard to go on, as we continue to face any number of obstacles. Exhaustion and burnout, red tape and bureaucracy, a lack of common courtesy or even palpable violence can make the mission we carry a daily challenge. For those who are tempted to respond with indifference and apathy, we pray that your spirit would guide us to support and protect them and renew their vision for the mission we carry together. Despite the imperfections within and around us, give us strength to go on with passion, compassion, and a desire to make a difference. Amen.   

Prayer

God our salvation,

We pray for joy to so fill our hearts that we are impelled to find new ways to express it. As the new year begins, and after so many laments, let a new song come forth, in our personal lives and our lives together in ministry. A new song of healing, rejoicing, and peace. In these precious first steps of a new year, empower us to sing that new song by choice and desire, with blessing on our lips, grateful for the liberation that has come to us and that we are privileged to extend to others. Amen.