Prayer

God of blessing,

We gather in thanksgiving today for the harvest of our lives, which includes our family and friends, food and shelter, and your very own presence among us. Whether we are gathering around a table or celebrating in other ways today, may we all take time to express our thanks for all the good in our lives and the lives of those we love. We pray especially for those in our ministry, who will spend this day caring for others and serving their needs. May they, too, be blessed as they continue to extend your compassion for others and may we show them our gratitude. Amen.

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

Bless us as a ministry with a long view upon what we are doing in pursuing our mission together. May we be inspired each and every day with a passion that drives us to continue extending your healing love in the lives of our patients and families and wider communities. Yet may we also have patience and rest in your promises, knowing that the changes we long to see often come about only through a slow transformation. Bless us with both patience and passion, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Merciful God,

Today we pray for leaders of nations and people in power. All those who are able somehow to put into motion events that so directly affect the life and vitality of others. Amidst so much hostility and confusion in our world today, we pray for leaders to become all the more sensitive to the deepest understandings of justice and mercy. May they have the courage to make decisions that secure lasting peace rather than prolong conflict, and may they be diligent in seeking wisdom, embodying virtue, and practicing forgiveness. Amen.

Prayer

God of those who are poor,

You hear the cries of those in need. You hear and you act on their behalf and have called us to do the same. Forgive us for times when we may have rebuked those we deemed “interruptions” to your cause. Remind us instead that, to know and worship you in the way you desire means being faithful to hear and respond to neighbors in need, in the same way you showed us. And so may we listen better today to the cries of people oppressed, and may we join you in bringing to them good help. Amen.

Prayer

Good Creator,

Open our ears that we might listen better to the music of your lovely creation. The rhythm and harmony of life’s intricate web that you have called into being and asked us to steward. With gratitude for the earth’s music, we ask you to guide us as a ministry that we might continue our sustainability efforts. Empower us to adopt and develop new ways and means that will allow us to advance your good work while preserving the natural order that gives us all life. With open hearts and ears, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Empowering God,

We are so fortunate that we get to share this good work of your mission with so many bright, devoted, and inspiring people. People who are equally committed to the ministry you started and who can be trusted to keep it (and us) on the right track. As we learn new ways to advance the mission you gave us, help us rely on each other and lean into one another’s strengths. For the sake of sharing your compassion with more of the world, we ask that a deeper camaraderie would flourish among us. Amen.

Prayer

Great redeemer,

Our ministry’s value of stewardship calls us to respect your creation through the daily choices we make, including what we do with our waste. In a “throwaway culture” like ours, help us become more creative and innovative, putting to good use all the resources we are blessed to possess. May we continue as a ministry to support sustainability efforts, and on a personal level may we always mindful of our connections within the whole web of life you have woven. With gratitude, and hope, we pray. Amen.