Reflection “Appreciation can make a day - even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” –Margaret Cousins Prayer Encouraging God, We are thankful that the ministry we serve has done such a go

Prayer

Encouraging God,

We are thankful that the ministry we serve has done such a good job establishing a vibrant culture of appreciation. May we be inspired to continue participating in that culture today, building up our colleagues by expressing our genuine gratitude for all that they do, in service to patients and families and communities in need. Especially when they may think no one is looking! With joy and gratitude for the abundant life you have shared with us, in words as well as in deeds, Amen.

Reflection “Let the breath lead the way.” –Sharon Salzberg Prayer Breath of life, Our tradition teaches that we are literally in-spired by the donation of your breath, as you breathed into us and we became living creatures before

Prayer

Breath of life,

Our tradition teaches that we are literally in-spired by the donation of your breath, as you breathed into us and we became living creatures before you. Help us appreciate the deeper significance of our breath today. And when times of stress especially seek to steal our breath away, may we practice returning with confidence to this great gift you have given. May the anchor of our breath give us resilience in a world in need of peace. Amen.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day

Prayer

Compassionate God,

As a ministry of healing, we desire to become more effective in identifying and responding to the mental health needs of those we serve, and also of those with whom we serve, our associates and colleagues. Help us on this World Mental Health Day, to renew our commitment to listen lovingly to each person we encounter, that we might serve them well in body, mind, and spirit. Amen.

Reflection “To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven.” –Johannes A. Gaertner Prayer Generous love, We pray for the grace to be civil and courteous in all our dealings, even in moment

Prayer

Generous love,

We pray for the grace to be civil and courteous in all our dealings, even in moments that would otherwise tempt us to be just as rude and unpleasant as the one who confronts us. Even and especially then, empower us to use our words in ways that build-up a culture of gratitude and thanksgiving, so that a generosity of spirit will become more the norm. May we live gratitude in such a way that, in our own small ways, we see your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Reflection “Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and

Prayer

Guardian of peace,

In this moment of prayer and unity, we implore you to guard our hearts and minds from anxiety and fear. For the patients and families we serve, let our service give them support and encouragement in the trials they face. For the colleagues who share this good work with us, may each of us be filled with a peace beyond understanding, that we might spread your goodness with love and compassion. In all thanksgiving, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.” –Carl Sagan Prayer God over all, The religious tradition that informs our ministry has always affirmed the harmony between fai

Prayer

God over all,

The religious tradition that informs our ministry has always affirmed the harmony between faith and science, encouraging us to investigate as far as we can the world you have made. We do so gladly, not despite our spirituality but precisely because of it! Fill us today with wonder at what the good world you created offers, so that our science and our research will become extensions of our worship. As we strive to improve the health and well-being of all, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “If you cannot be positive then at least be quiet.” –Joel Osteen Prayer Word of life, Many of us were taught that if we have nothing good to say we do well to stay silent. It’s not bad advice! And we all know the dif

Prayer

Word of life,

Many of us were taught that if we have nothing good to say we do well to stay silent. It’s not bad advice! And we all know the difference between voicing real concerns that need to be addressed and simply polluting the atmosphere with our unhinged negativity. So if it’s time for us to remain quiet, help us to do so. Even better, encourage us to become more conscientious in the way we speak. May we discover each day how to speak truth in love, to speak life, and to lace our words with sincere and constructive positivity. Amen.