Prayer

Selfless love,

Even in the midst of doing good our motives are so often mixed. We like the recognition that comes from success and achievement, sometimes too much. Help us purify our hearts more and more, so that all we do and say comes from an authentic spirit of humility. A spirit that recognizes our interdependence upon one another and is always on the lookout for ways to meet the needs of others, especially those who are most vulnerable among us. Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,

Lead us into a healthier form of self-regard than we often possess. To love ourselves with the kind of love that you have for us and that we are right to have for ourselves. Yes, we make mistakes, yet you forgive us freely and lovingly. May we receive that forgiveness as we should, so we can stop beating ourselves up and learn to move on, having grown somehow through our weakness, by the power of your grace. In the hope of transformation, we pray. Amen.

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.