Prayer

God of hope,

Today your Church takes time to remember and celebrate Mary’s miraculous appearances to St. Juan Diego in Mexico. Humbly we ask for a greater share in Mary’s spirit, that we might be bolder and fearless in receiving and embodying your word in our lives and ministry. May our work together reflect a shared sense of hope for what you are continuing to do among us and through us in our neighborhoods and communities. As we recall your mighty deeds through so many servants devoted to your word, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God with us,

For all those who are actively serving our patients and neighbors and families today, we ask you to bless them with vision. Open the eyes of their hearts that they might behold your very own presence dwelling among them. In frailty and weakness especially, let your nearness inspire all our associates to extend your compassion and show others mercy. Bless each one of us today with vision to see you in this one human family. Amen.

Prayer

Spirit of peace,

As Christians around the world light the advent candle of peace today, we ask you to light a fire in our hearts. Help us to stand up more boldly as agents of peace within a tumultuous world. As we continue preparing to celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace this Christmas, we nevertheless pray unceasingly, each and every day: let your kingdom to come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Use us to see your peaceable kingdom come, that wars may cease, and conflicts might be conquered by a peace beyond understanding. For the life of the world, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God our strength,

Today we pray for those in our lives who are feeling like everything is going against them. May they be empowered by your spirit to find new depths of inner resilience and strength. Let neighbors and friends like us come around them to give them support and encouragement, so that as we lift them up and share their burden, their trials might be transformed into new momentum to go forward. By your grace, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Spirit of collaboration,

Your interventions on our behalf are cause for celebration, reminding us that you are constantly at work within our feeble humanity, accomplishing great works of grace and redemption. Today, as your Church celebrates the mystery of Mary’s immaculate conception, we ask that the example of Mary’s life would inspire each one of us to be more open to your plans for us, and through us, for the life of the world. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty G-d,

Hanukkah reminds us that it is a great gift to be able to worship you in freedom. May we who are so fortunate as to enjoy this blessing be more mindful of those who suffer for their religious convictions. Let us pray urgently for them and do what we can to bring more of your liberating peace and shalom into the world. We pray this in your name, as one human family. Amen.

Prayer

God on mission,

We live and work amid a constant stream of noise. It can be challenging enough just to stave off the distractions and focus on the job at hand, let alone to find meaning and purpose through it all. Yet you have called us to such a great calling! Beyond the "daily grind," you invite us to extend your very own ministry of compassion and healing and service. Help each one of us, no matter our role or function, to lift up our hearts, to rise above the noise, and to hold fast to the things that matter. For the sake of those waiting for our focused attention and service, we pray. Amen.