Prayer

God in all things,

Sometimes we think of “your will” as if it were a hidden mystery we must hunt to discover, buried in signs that we must decode. Help us return instead to the clear indications we find in your word, starting with your desire that we should learn to give thanks in all things. Help us rise to that incredible challenge today! May we learn to engage every circumstance with gratitude, trusting you to make all things work together for our good. Amen.

Prayer

Good Creator,

Something about gratitude unlocks our hearts and makes us more open to the ways of your spirit. Help us lean into this truth today, this week, and beyond. As we learn to express our gratitude authentically to you and to others, may we at the same time discover the graces you are constantly extending to us—through the kindness of others, in the beauty of nature, within the healing encounters we are privileged to be a part of. For all if it, Lord, hear our prayer—as we continue to say, “thank you.” Amen.

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.