Reflection “Failure’s not fatal — it’s feedback.” –Lisa Borders Prayer God of tomorrow, There are many different ways to say the same thing: the only true failure is the refusal to get back up again and learn from our mistakes. Wh

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

There are many different ways to say the same thing: the only true failure is the refusal to get back up again and learn from our mistakes. When obstacles assail us with the feeling of defeat, let our hearts remind us that your grace is sufficient and that, with your help and accompaniment, there is nothing we face that cannot be overcome. As a ministry, striving to extend your compassionate ministry to so many in need, let our vision of success be defined by our faithful resilience more than anything else. We needn’t be perfect to respond to your call, we need only be faithful. Day in and day out. For all those who are sick; for the poor, the dying, and the underserved; for the vulnerable and marginalized, we pray. Amen.

Eid al-Adha 

Eid al-Adha 

Prayer

Almighty,

As our Muslim colleagues and friends celebrate Eid al-Adha, we all do well to reflect upon our readiness to sacrifice, for the sake of others, in service to love and connection. As creatures made in your image, we all are called to show charity to neighbors in need and to sustain the bonds of community in tangible ways. Help us in this effort, that all people may come to know the joy of self-giving love, so that all people may flourish in a shared experience of belonging and provision. Amen.

Reflection “Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.” –Mother Teresa Prayer Spirit of kindness, We would probably speak differently if we imagined that the echoes of our words could be heard an

Prayer

Spirit of kindness,

We would probably speak differently if we imagined that the echoes of our words could be heard and felt long after the moment we say them. Help us to realize they do! Kind words especially can transform another’s heart in an instant. In a random encounter, in which we may not even realize we’ve made an impression on someone in need. There are so many stories that bear witness to the power of a kind word at the right time. Help us extend those stories of kindness today, in all our encounters, with every person we meet. Let kindness pour out from our speech. Amen.

Reflection “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer Prayer God who sees us, We are prone to judge one another by looking at

Prayer

God who sees us,

We are prone to judge one another by looking at all the wrong things. We quickly point out others’ mistakes while being too easily wowed by superficial things like the money some possess or the size of their house. Help us renew our appreciation for the people around us and reframe our vision for the things that truly matter. May we learn to regard people less for what they do or what they have, and more for the way they suffer and stand in need of deep healing. Let compassion be our response to each other, as we commit to seeing all your children in their full depth and complexity. Amen.

Reflection “Prayer is an end to isolation.” –Georges Lefevre Prayer Ever-present God, There are times in our lives when we feel all alone, when we experience the soul-ache of solitude. And yet you have assured us that nothing can

Prayer

Ever-present God,

There are times in our lives when we feel all alone, when we experience the soul-ache of solitude. And yet you have assured us that nothing can divide us from the heartbeat of your love. You have promised never to forsake us or leave us abandoned. In prayer, especially, we discover the truth that your heart is always inclined towards our own. Your ears are constantly turned our direction and your eyes are ever upon us. More and more may we become a people of prayer, who bring an end to isolation by sharing the gift of presence. With you and each other, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “We are living on this planet as if we had another one to go to.” –Terri Swearingen Prayer Good Creator, Inspire us to discover new ways of stewarding the gifts of creation, so we might better respect the delicate balan

Prayer

Good Creator,

Inspire us to discover new ways of stewarding the gifts of creation, so we might better respect the delicate balance of life’s great circle. As people of conscience, lead us back to that place where we see and respect the Earth for the treasure it is. May we thereby learn to live better in the land you have given, for our good and the good of all living things. Amen.

Reflection “Joy is best sown in broken ground.” –Jack Wellman Prayer Transforming God, Some of the most joyful people we know have also been people who have learned to suffer well. Open our hearts to hear the wisdom that these sou

Prayer

Transforming God,

Some of the most joyful people we know have also been people who have learned to suffer well. Open our hearts to hear the wisdom that these souls have to share from the depth of their experience. In big ways and small, may we all find courage to let joy into our brokenness and allow ourselves to be vulnerable, open, and porous to your transforming grace. Let joy be sown in our brokenness, that new life may burst forth. For our good and the good of all those we encounter, we humbly ask you to make beauty out of our ashes. Amen.