Prayer

Always good God,

As our parents used to say, we can learn life’s lessons the easy way or the hard way. Most of us know the latter path of foolishness already. Empower us, therefore, to walk in the way of wisdom and to encourage those around us to avoid our past mistakes. Forgive us for those times when we remain bullheaded, that we might embrace a deeper humility. A readiness to learn from those gone before us and to locate our place in a much broader tradition of wisdom. As we strive together, to follow your way above all, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God who hears us,

We often overlook the most basic gifts of love that we can offer each other. To be heard in the presence of another’s sincerity and attention—this truly is an act of love. Help us to be more loving in this way towards those around us today. Our colleagues, our patients and their families, and especially those who are at their most fragile. Whether they seem like strangers completely different from us or whether they’re the closest relations we risk taking for granted, help us truly to hear, understand, and be present to the people we encounter today. Amen.

Prayer

Spirit of charity,

As our Muslim colleagues celebrate the birth of Muhammad today, we give thanks for the treasures of the Islamic tradition, including the calling we all have been given as creatures before you, to steward creation responsibly. Help us better protect creation’s goodness so that we can be charitable with creation’s abundance, sharing its harvest with all those who are hungry, vulnerable, and needy. As a ministry and as individuals, may we find creative ways to advocate for equitable food access within our communities. As one human family, united before you, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of the harvest,

We pray today for all those who may be discouraged by what seems like the slow pace of progress or an unending stream of needs. May they be freed from the burden of feeling so directly responsible for the fruit of their labor. As we all commit to doing what we can for the sake of our mission, help us also take comfort in the limits of our calling. Remind us today that we are ultimately called to be faithful in the planting of seeds, and may we always trust you for the harvest. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious G-d,

May our Jewish colleagues and friends be blessed this Yom Kippur, and may we all take time to focus on how we might go deeper with our own conversion of heart. Empower us to let go of habits and patterns of behavior that damage our relationship with you and each other. Inspire us instead to follow your life-giving path of holiness, adopting the words and deeds that enable all people to flourish. With hearts of repentance and hope, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Merciful God,

Our hearts are full of gratitude and joy today, as we recognize the Sisters of Mercy and the gift of their ministry, to serve, advocate and pray for those in need around the world. As a ministry united, we ask for your help in keeping us faithful to the mission of Mercy in all our encounters, with our patients and families, with our colleagues, and in the broader communities we serve. Like the Sisters of Mercy and in the spirit of their founder, Catherine McAuley, may the example of Jesus inspire us to embody the values of the Gospel and work together in creating a more just world, especially for those who are poor, dying, and underserved. Amen.

Prayer

God of transformation,

As the seasons change once again, help us take advantage of some needed time for reflection and contemplation. Lead us in considering what kinds of changes we ourselves have made and still need to make. To strengthen relationships with you and with others, to better care for our own well-being, and to be more hospitable to the environment you have given. May we observe nature’s beautiful transformation and find a reason to hope in our own. Amen.