Prayer

Light in the darkness,

We have every reason to place our confidence in you as we embody your mission, striving to extend your compassionate ministry to the world around us. So many today are struggling in what feels like darkness. Help us to surround and support them as well, and to brighten their way to a new path forward. May we be a refuge to all those who are afraid and anxious, especially those who are most vulnerable—the poor, the dying, and the underserved. Amen.

Prayer

Creator spirit,

The dignity of work often carries its own reward. We seem wired this way, so that good work fuels our sense of accomplishment and fills our life with purpose and meaning. May all people come to experience this blessing of meaningful work today, no matter what it is you have given them to do. We pray especially for those who are longing for work or otherwise feeling stuck in their work, that you would energize and encourage them through the support of colleagues and friends. Amen.

Prayer

God of life,

What a tragedy it would be to reach life’s end and realize we wasted so many experiences! Open us up to greater awareness of the multiple gifts that each moment brings. May we welcome the experiences you send us and use them to grow and develop into the people you’ve called us to be. With gratitude for the life we’ve been given, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Transforming God,

We have witnessed your transforming power in the lives of people we know. People who have suffered much, and yet somehow learned to find a way through their pain to growth and even greater compassion. As we marvel at this mystery, we invite you to soften our own hearts so that we, too, can process our pain in ways that are healthy and that make us more capable to show compassion to others. Amazed by the power of your grace, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

All-wise Creator,

We feel the burden keenly, to love and respect your creation by stewarding it better, implementing positive changes to secure a brighter future for the generations to come. On this World Day of Prayer for Creation, we commit once again to live into our calling as stewards before you. By the power of your spirit, fill us with stamina and strength to enact needed reforms in our habits of production and consumption. For the life of the world you have given, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

It can be hard to remember that no amount of fussing and whining is going to change the difficult circumstances we’ve been given to face. When misfortune comes our way, empower us to avoid the understandable tantrum and to fix our eyes instead on finding the constructive way forward. In our relationships at work, in our families, and within our broader communities, help us to make tough times better by speaking with grace and positivity, encouraging others to do the same, all for the sake of creative and new solutions. Amen.

Prayer

Divine collaborator,

For a host of reasons beyond our control, our workplace today is in constant transition, compelling us to react and respond and roll with the changes. In such times as these, it is a great comfort to know we have colleagues who share this journey with us. People who have our backs no matter what our ranks and are eager to collaborate, for the sake of the bigger purpose that we share together. May we be blessed today with relationships like these, and may we start by renewing our own commitment to be a grounded and grounding presence at work. Amen.