Prayer

God over all,

Beneath our differences of faith and belief lies a fundamental conviction: you have made us for yourself, such that we all have a natural desire to seek you. Yes, our hearts are restless until they rest in you. In our country today, we have many reasons to be especially restless, anxious, and troubled in spirit. On this National Day of Prayer, may we all be willing to pause and to turn our hearts towards yours. May we seek your face together, for refreshment and vision, for the health and well-being of our nation, for the sake of the world entire. As one people, united in a common bond of humanity, we will pray. Amen.

For The National Day of Prayer reflection video click HERE

Prayer

Creative spirit,

Give us the courage to welcome new ideas, as well as the wisdom to evaluate their promise. Let us avoid being resistant to change while embracing a spirit of openness, giving you freedom to lead us in the way of your spirit, which blows where it will. For the sake of the many and diverse needs that call us to action today, help us learn the best way to unite our compassion with a willingness to innovate and forge a path forward, so we can continue to bring good help to the patients and families and communities we serve. With gratitude for how you’ve brought us this far. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious provider,

The world we inhabit is charged with meaning, with sense, and with order. Yet in the freedom you gave us, we have not always acted in ways that respect and align with these forces. We grieve for these mistakes and, as a ministry, are committed to finding new ways to wholeness, health and well-being for all of your creatures. Inspire us in this good work and empower us to be more effective advocates for the voice of creation. Amen.

Prayer

God of today,

Empower us to live each day in joy. May we cultivate gratitude for this present moment, wasting not a breath on the days we can’t change and looking ahead only in hope, for the new things you have promised to do through us. As those who are called to awareness and attention, to serve and to love those neighbors you send us today, here, and now, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious shepherd,

For every opportunity you give us to enjoy respite within your beautiful world, we thank you. Yet we are also mindful today of those who are far removed from any “verdant pastures.” Those who must strain and toil to find any water at all, as the earth struggles to flourish in the way that it should. For these, our fellow citizens in this one common home, we pray you would shepherd and guide them with special concern. Help us to love them better by loving the earth that we share together. No matter where we live, may your shepherding spirit provide refreshment of souls, so that we may follow your lead and restore health and well-being to rest of the earth and its inhabitants. For our sake and the sake of all people, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Conversant silence,

Beneath the incessant noise that fills our lives, in the depths of our souls, you call us to return to the solace of silence. May we make every effort to enter that soul-space. A place of both rest and attention. Paradoxical though it may seem, give us stamina to remain there. Still, expectant, and open to the gentle voice with which you are always speaking to us. Transform us there, that we may become people who exemplify peace and patience; people whose souls have been well-trained by silence. Amen.

God of creation,

It’s easy for us to take for granted the blessing of the Earth and its vegetation. The plants and flowers, trees and shrubs, and all the other flora that surround us. On National Arbor Day, help us to be more mindful of our calling to cultivate the Earth, including its plant life, knowing that our collective well-being depends on the vitality of all creatures in harmony. Plus, the world just looks more beautiful filled with green! Amen.