Reflection “It’s good to do uncomfortable things. It’s weight training for life.” –Anne Lamott Prayer Empowering God, It doesn’t take long for us to develop skills of avoidance, learning to evade those uncomfortable things that c

Prayer

Empowering God,

It doesn’t take long for us to develop skills of avoidance, learning to evade those uncomfortable things that could otherwise compel us to grow in maturity. Things like confronting a problem head on, speaking the truth in love, or realizing that we must decide every day to shine our light into a broken, dark world. If we allow them to, these uncomfortable things can instead become part of our training for life. Give us courage to grow and mature in the way we should go, and may the world be brighter for it. Amen.

Reflection “A good example has twice the value of good advice.” –Albert Schweitzer Prayer Unchanging God, Help us to be more like you, revealing integrity in all that we do and say. In our daily behavior and decisions, in our acti

Prayer

Unchanging God,

Help us to be more like you, revealing integrity in all that we do and say. In our daily behavior and decisions, in our actions towards others, may we model a way of living that shows, rather than preaches, about the breadth and depth of a flourishing life. A life spent with and for others in service to justice, peace, community, love. Let our good examples be the best advice we can give, inspiring others to come share this good place in which you have called us to dwell. Together. Amen.

Reflection “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” –Mahatma Gandhi Prayer Spirit of service, You came in our flesh and proclaimed an upside-down vision of a flourishing life. Against every in

Prayer

Spirit of service,

You came in our flesh and proclaimed an upside-down vision of a flourishing life. Against every instinct of selfishness, you showed us in word and in deed that real joy is found as we give ourselves away in service to others. Such wisdom is an anchor for us, as we strive to extend your compassionate ministry to so many in need. As we continue to serve them today, humbly we pray you would sustain us in joy and that all those who are especially weak would be blessed beyond measure with your abundant life-giving power. Amen.

Feast of Our Lady of Knock

Feast of Our Lady of Knock

Prayer

God with us,

The Feast of Our Lady of Knock is a special day in the spiritual life of Ireland and for us as a ministry united. We give thanks for the many signs of your presence among us, both in times of need as well as in the constant gift of creation. In concert with this year’s novena, we commit once again to care for creation and to seek for new ways to honor your nearness in all that you’ve made. As pilgrims spread abroad this beautiful earth, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “Our very contact with nature has a deep restorative power; contemplation of its magnificence imparts peace and serenity. The Bible speaks again and again of the goodness and beauty of creation, which is called to glorify Go

Prayer

Creator spirit,

Many today stand in need of the deep restorative power of contact with nature. It’s such a natural prescription for us, as creatures before you, to be embraced by the goodness and beauty of your glorious creation. As a ministry, help us continue expanding our vision of health and well-being so that it includes our relationship with nature. And may we continue to make good on our commitments to sustainable practices in all that we do. For the sake of your healing among us, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “Don’t blame yourself for other people’s choices, including their choice of unhappiness.” –Doreen Virtue Prayer Spirit of freedom, You loved us enough to give us the freedom of will. Help us to love others the same an

Prayer

Spirit of freedom,

You loved us enough to give us the freedom of will. Help us to love others the same and to remember that, though we wish them the best and will always support them, their choices are ultimately theirs to make. Deliver us thereby from undue guilt, as we nonetheless pray and hope for true happiness come to families and friends, patients and colleagues. And may our own choices this day at least make room for your happy blessings to be shared with all those we encounter. Amen.

Reflection “Speak when you’re angry and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.” –Groucho Marx Prayer Spirit of peace, Some of us are more prone than others to lose our tempers as much as our wisdom, running our mouths in

Prayer

Spirit of peace,

Some of us are more prone than others to lose our tempers as much as our wisdom, running our mouths in ways we (eventually) regret. Help us all to be more disciplined in our speech, that we might use words like you. To build others up instead of tearing them down. To exhort and encourage them and to extend a genuine spirit of peace. For the sake of our shared dignity before you, help us speak well towards each other today, building bridges not walls. Amen.