Reflection “But I say to you, do not swear at all. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’” –Matthew 5:37 Prayer God of truth, You call us to greater integrity in the way we use words. We are prone to make promises an

Prayer

God of truth,

You call us to greater integrity in the way we use words. We are prone to make promises and then struggle to keep them, yet you challenge us simply to say what we mean and mean what we say. Forgive us for times when we have not been sincere in our speech, or when we have lacked the courage to own our words in truth and authenticity. As we strive to move forward as a people on mission, individually and as a ministry, help us to stand up and stand out for our commitment to transparency and integrity in our words and our deeds. Amen.

Reflection “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.” –James Baldwin Prayer God who knows our pain, It can be rather comforting to discover that we are not alone in

Prayer

God who knows our pain,

It can be rather comforting to discover that we are not alone in our struggles. That there are others out there who’ve been where we’ve been and faced the same kinds of challenges. Across time and space, so much of our experience is felt and held in common. And this is a gift you have given, for it means we are able to carry our burdens together. Help us to do so faithfully, supporting one another as we strive in our mission. Through the pain and heartbreaks, just as much as the wins and the triumphs. Amen.

Reflection “If your goal does not have a schedule, it is a dream.” –Kevin Kelly Prayer God of reality, The ministry we share today is complex and prone to complexity. We struggle to stay ahead of the curve as we read the signs of

Prayer

God of reality,

The ministry we share today is complex and prone to complexity. We struggle to stay ahead of the curve as we read the signs of the times. Yet we take comfort in knowing that you journey with us, in thick and in thin. With gratitude for your accompanying presence, give us courage to set tangible goals framed by realistic expectations. Inspire us to carry your compassionate ministry forward, with confidence and vigor. For the sake of all those in need, especially those who are poor, dying, and underserved, we pray. Amen.

Reflection Prayer God over all, We celebrate the world you have woven together with such beauty and grace. The array of colors and creatures and delicate livin

Prayer

God over all,

We celebrate the world you have woven together with such beauty and grace. The array of colors and creatures and delicate living things is breathtaking in its vibrant diversity. We give you thanks for it all and for giving us the vision to see how it all fits together. May we take our thankful awareness and translate it more and more into actions that protect all this beauty’s vitality. Amen.

Reflection “I do not like that man. I must get to know him better.” –Abraham Lincoln Prayer Unifying God, We’re not required to become best friends with everyone, yet you call us nonetheless to be free of all judgment, bias, and p

Prayer

Unifying God,

We’re not required to become best friends with everyone, yet you call us nonetheless to be free of all judgment, bias, and partiality. Lead us further in this, for our own sake as much as for those we are serving. Help us reflect on our tendencies and willing to admit that our instincts and preferences are often in need of correction. With sympathy and understanding, may we grow closer together as people before you, committed to ensure that prejudice will not survive proximity. Amen.

Reflection “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” –Hebrews 13:2 Prayer God of hospitality, Lead us to be more hospitable. To strangers and acquaintances and all those we encounter,

Prayer

God of hospitality,

Lead us to be more hospitable. To strangers and acquaintances and all those we encounter, may we open our hearts as much as our doors, welcoming anyone who needs a safe place to belong. Inspire us to remember the significance of even the simplest gesture of inclusion. We may never know what these actions mean, yet you encourage us with the thought of there being angels among us. And in the faces of all those we serve, you invite us to see your very image standing before us. May we be hospitable servants to all these your children today, Amen.

Reflection “We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer Prayer Just God, The senselessness of the violence we see grieves

Prayer

Just God,

The senselessness of the violence we see grieves our hearts and boggles our minds. As we continue extending compassion to victims, impassion us also to stand up to the injustice itself, insisting that systems be changed for the sake of real and lasting peace in our land. Give us courage and wisdom for this, so we can better defend the vulnerable by commanding the aggression around us to stop! Through the power of your gospel and our daily commitment to justice and peacebuilding, may the violence around us come undone and may peace come to flourish for all. Amen.