Prayer

God of my neighbor,

The diversity of your family is something at which we should marvel and be glad! For through good conversation with people different than us we are able see how small and fragmentary our usual perspectives can be. Encounters with others invite us to deepen our respect for a family much bigger and richer than we ever knew we belonged to. Give us such good conversations today, that we might be changed and become all the more eager to contribute to a culture that is humble, hospitable, and inclusive. Amen.

Prayer

God of hope,

This first Sunday of Advent is a welcome opportunity for us to begin preparing ourselves for Christmas, renewing our sense of hope for your presence dwelling among us. For the gift of your son, Jesus, and the promise of your accompaniment, we are eternally thankful. And so in a spirit of gratitude we take time to pause and look inward, ensuring that nothing is keeping us from fully embracing every good gift you choose to pour down on us. In the advent hope of your light to come, Amen.

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

Fill us with faith, hope, and love that we may continue the mission you have called us to extend. As a ministry, help us trust in your promise to bring our many works of service into fruition. We pray especially for those who are struggling in their labor, eager and anxious to see some signs of growth in their areas of ministry. Give them resilience and fortitude to keep going forward, and we ask you to renew them with visions of the beauty to come from seeds planted today. Amen.

Prayer

God of creation,

As we witness the effects of how we have mistreated your earth, we are inspired all the more to renew our commitment to one of the first commandment you gave us, to tend your garden and fill it with love and bring along others, so that the creation you gave us as a common home would flourish in concert with us. Heal us who have forgotten this call and deliver us all of short-sightedness. May we revive our cooperation to develop paths of sustainable development that can bridge generations and the whole human family. Indeed, the entire web of life upon which we depend. Amen.

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

In times that feel so uncertain, we ask you to fill us with the kind of hope that empowers us to blaze trails, rather than dawdle about with ready-made answers. Give us a deeper awareness of your accompanying presence beside us, so we may boldly and faithfully innovate new ways to extend your ministry long into the future. For the sake of those waiting for the good help we can bring, give us courage to trust you and walk forward. And for the sake of those waiting right now, today, may each one of our associates be empowered to blaze our mission’s path forward—one hallway, one room, one step at a time. Amen.

Prayer

Spirit of unity,

The world is wanting for healthier forms of dialogue and discourse. Even in our own families, it’s easy for disagreement to become hurtful. Heal us of this tendency, which we can see in ourselves as much as others, to undermine those who feel differently than us on matters we care about. Lead us instead to embrace a more courageous mode of conversation that can preserve the foundation of our unity, even when we disagree. Help us this day to speak our truth, always in love. Amen.

Prayer

Spirit on mission,

As we strive to extend your compassionate ministry today, we pause in prayer to make ourselves available to you. May we continue to be present to you even as we go from this moment to continue the work you have given us to do. Keep us grateful for this gift we’ve been given, to participate in your own ministry of healing and to serve as your hands and feet to all those in need. Give us courage, resilience, and stamina, so that with your help and presence beside us, we may also be fully available and present to those we encounter in your name and serve on your behalf. Amen.