Reflection   “I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me.” –Erica Jong     Prayer   Perfect love,  Pursuing your mission is not without its dangers. Yet you call us all the same, to trust and be willin

Prayer

Perfect love,

Pursuing your mission is not without its dangers. Yet you call us all the same, to trust and be willing to shine your healing light in areas that give us good reason to be fearful. Today we pray for all our associates, especially those who may be conflicted between their call to service and a genuine sense of fear in so doing. We ask you to protect them from a controlling sense of fear, that they may perform their duties and love their neighbors with freedom and joy. And may we continue as a ministry to protect and support them just as we should. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection   “The goodness of the world only prevails when we are courageous enough to defend it.”  –Alicia Garza     Prayer   Ever Good God,  We invite you again today, to open our eyes and hearts, that we might discern where we ar

Prayer

Ever Good God,

We invite you again today, to open our eyes and hearts, that we might discern where we are called to play our part in defending the goodness of the world around us. Not in grandiose or exaggerated ways, but in the simple ways that we can. As we serve our patients and their families, and as we encounter so many others in life and ministry, help us to honor and respect their dignity and defend the goodness they possess. With thanks for your goodness among us, we pray. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection   “In teamwork, silence isn’t golden, it’s deadly.” –Mark Sanborn   Prayer   Spirit of truth,  As a ministry composed of so many teams and committees, we ask that each one of our ministry partners might feel free and encourage

Prayer

Spirit of truth,

As a ministry composed of so many teams and committees, we ask that each one of our ministry partners might feel free and encouraged to speak up and share ideas, so that we all can collaborate in new and exciting directions. For the sake of higher quality care that responds effectively to the felt needs of our communities, help us foster an open and inclusive culture through which we can remain agile and flexible and, above all, faithful, to continue extending your compassionate ministry long into the future. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection   “Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.” –Cornel West     Prayer   God of justice,  Stretch our imaginations so we can better love our neighbors, not just on a personal level, in the ways we speak

Prayer

God of justice,

Stretch our imaginations so we can better love our neighbors, not just on a personal level, in the ways we speak and act individually, but also in the collective actions we organize and the causes we champion together, in public. Lead us to build communities and structures in such a way that all our developments might be more transparent to the love you have for all humanity. In this way, let justice flourish among us, so that all people might be blessed through us and attain what they need for flourishing. Amen.

Second Sunday of Lent

Second Sunday of Lent

Prayer

Holy Spirit,

In times that often feel uncertain, we are committed to remaining people of prayer, willing to turn our hearts towards you every day, and to welcome your presence among us. Give us the strength to embrace both the trials and joys of the road ahead and to receive all that you have in store for us with grace and humility. With gratitude for your promise of accompaniment, may our devotion to prayer empower us to invest your world with more faith, hope, and love, in all that we do and say. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection   “The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.  –Fyodor Dostoyevsky     Prayer   God of mission,  As a ministry called into your service, help us each day to embody

Prayer

God of mission,

As a ministry called into your service, help us each day to embody the values of your gospel and to share with others your vision and hope of a life more abundant. Sharpen our discernment about the purposes we pursue together, so that we might shape a future worth leaving to future generations. For our communities and neighbors, especially those who are poor, dying, and underserved, we pray. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection    “The devil loves to fish in troubled waters.” –John Trapp   Prayer   God of peace,  As we strive to extend your compassion today, we pray for a spirit of peace to pervade our workplaces, protecting our colleagues and partne

Prayer

God of peace,

As we strive to extend your compassion today, we pray for a spirit of peace to pervade our workplaces, protecting our colleagues and partners in ministry from the troublesome tensions that sometimes tempt and distract us: division and discord, jealousy and gossip, meanness and pettiness. Keep us focused instead on the mission that calls us together, in service and care of those who are waiting and longing for some measure of peace. Amen.