Prayer

Joy divine,

How wonderful it is to feel our spirits lift in even the darkest hour, by a well-placed joke or a hilarious comment from someone who knows us so well. Among friends or with family and even between strangers, humor can bind us together above and beyond so much tragedy. May we experience more of the unifying power of laughter in our days, for we know that this gift must come straight from you heart, God above all and God always with us. Amen.

Prayer

Encouraging God,

You endowed us with the power of life-giving speech, yet we often use our words in ways you never intended. Instead of building others up we tear them down. Instead of affirming to ourselves the dignity of our creation we echo back lies that have been spoken over us. Free us from such habits of self-destructive speech, so we can speak again the kinds of words that lead to genuine flourishing, wholeness, and peace. Within our own hearts as much as between us, in our relationships, with neighbors and you. Amen.

Prayer

God of those who are poor,

We come to work each day in the field of Catholic health care to serve the needs of those who are poor, dying and underserved.  Their care is in our hands, and you call us to love them as you would, by showing compassion and accompanying them as much as serving them in their time of need. . And so as we continue to serve and accompany those who are poor today, help us to see them as you see them, precious in your eyes. Help us always to tip our scales in favor of those who are poor, knowing that through loving them, we are at the same time loving you. We ask this in the name of love, amen.  

Prayer

God of Peace,

We recognize that our world is far from being at peace. Listening to the daily news, we hear of wars, shootings, power struggles, and so much pain across the globe.  How can we find peace in our day?  Help us to answer your call and participate more in your love, that we might cooperate in creating a more peaceful world, one community at a time, starting with our own. With each peaceful action, allow us to know that it is through your inspiration that we do so.  For the peace of our world. Amen.

Prayer

Living God,

Life is so precious, and each day is truly a gift freely given to us and for us, to be shared joyfully with others.  During this National Blood Donor Month, help us to be mindful of the importance of each life.  Whether we can donate blood, or support this effort in another way, remind us daily how precious our lives are to you and to each other.  Help us to reach out to others through this love, allowing them to know what their lives mean to those around them.  In love and joy, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of all,

More and more each day we see the influence of artificial intelligence in our lives, whether through our phones and devices that keep us “connected”  or through so many new applications affecting our work. It can be scary if we allow it to be. Yet if we are wise and proactive, we know we can guide the use of such tools to enhance the lives of many, especially those we care for each day in our clinics and hospitals and wider communities.  Help us, therefore, to leverage our technologies in service to the greater good of humanity and to bring good help to those in need. Amen.

Prayer

God of equality,

You created everyone equal, and you love everyone equally.  Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of equality. His words and actions have helped guide our world with a fresh vision of our shared dignity before you. Though we are still so far from such ideals, we thank you for Dr. King’s good example and for his urgent call to all of us, to live a life of equality and serve one another in community. For this we pray to the God who shows no partiality, Amen.