Prayer

Merciful God,

As you came and walked among us, you showed us God’s heart for humanity while, at the same time, revealing such a profound vision of how we should relate to each other. Help us to live into that vision more and more. May we mirror the mercy that you have shown us towards all those we encounter today. Make us especially eager to forgive one another and to continue forgiving one another, that your peace might dwell more richly among us. For the life of the world you created and love, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

Every day it seems we hear reports about how our inability to steward creation responsibly now threatens our overall stability and survival. As we continue praying, serving, and advocating for those affected by climate-driven disasters, help us also become more empowered in finding new ways forward, personally and collectively. Anchor us in believing that the future can be better than the present, and that we have the power to make it so. As stewards called to serve your good creation faithfully, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Holy G-d,

With our Jewish colleagues, we celebrate your great gift of creation today and give thanks for the way you sustain our existence from moment to moment, year to year. May we be faithful to respond to your gracious invitation of new life in you, as we let go of our sins and every other obstacle that prevents us from fully embodying your vision of flourishing. For ourselves and for the life of the world, we return to that vision and ask to be better able to embody for others, especially those who are most vulnerable among us. Amen.

Prayer

Divine healer,

Our culture exerts a lot of pressure on us, to quickly put our problems in the past tense. Yet we know it’s not as simple as that. We all need time and the support of our community to work through the hurts that we carry. Help us to be patient with ourselves and patient with those we long to see restored and made whole. May we continue to thrive as a supportive community invested in the long-term work of seeing your healing come. May it come a little more through us today. Amen.

Prayer

Good Creator,

In a culture that says we can do what we want without consequences, we do well to remember just how deeply dependent we are upon Nature for everything. For our health and well-being, for the viability of our endeavors together, for the sake of the generations to come, help us to remember our interconnectedness in the world you have made and to live better within Nature’s limits. Inspire us towards more sustainable ways of being and doing, as a ministry and as individuals. Amen.

Prayer

Faithful God,

We call upon you today for the health and well-being of all our patients and families and friends. Help us to extend your own presence to them in ways that bring comfort, solace, and whatever measure of healing we can. Just as you are faithful to be near to those who call upon you, help us to be faithful in drawing near to all those in need, especially those who are poor, dying, and underserved. Amen.

Prayer

God who is eternal love,

On a day of remembrance like this, recalling the many who lost their lives and those who love and miss them, it may be wise to save breath and welcome a more silent spirit of prayer. No matter who we are or where we are from, may we enter the quiet of our hearts and find you there. And in that place of presence with you, humbly we ask for your promise of peace to come. May a peace beyond understanding ground us today. Amen.