Prayer

Joyful God,

Joy and happiness can be two sides of the same coin, but so can joy and sadness. The lesson to be learned is that our joy is not determined by whether we are happy or sad on the outside, but rather what brings us deep joy within.  Your love for us creates that deep joy, and when we feel that type of joy, a smile on our face is not far behind. Thank you for joyfulness, and we ask that you lead all of us to moments of joy each day. Amen.

Prayer

God of our calling,

Mary was a mere teenager when she received the call to become the mother of your Son.  That must have been an eye-opening experience, yet she said, “Be it done to me according to your word,” without hesitation. Following the example of Mary, help us say “Yes” to our call, to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus to all of our patients, families, co-workers, and communities, even without knowing all the implications of the situation. Like Mary, help us rely completely on your grace, knowing that you are with us in each moment. Amen.

Prayer

God of Mercy,

During these times of global unrest, we are deeply in need of your mercy and love. So much unsettling chaos fills our world, and at times it is hard to know how to help.  On this Divine Mercy Sunday, which is also World Health Day, help us to stay the course in reaching out and sharing the compassionate love of Jesus, knowing that your mercy will lead us in discovering how we can better help those in need.  In gratitude, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,

May your wisdom and strength guide us in doing good deeds throughout our ministry and the world, touching lives and bringing them closer to you. May we lean fully on you to guide us in our mission here on earth, focusing on the good we can do for those who walk through our doors in need of healthcare. We ask this in your name. Amen. 

Prayer

God on the move,

In a healthcare context that’s constantly changing, we know we must learn to adapt and be agile so as to survive as an organization. Empower and guide us, therefore, as a ministry on mission, not only to stay on the right track but also to keep moving forward with fidelity, purpose, and clarity. May we stay in step with your spirit with the same focused devotion that keeps us attentive to trends. May we learn how to be nimble in the face of so many changes while never losing sight of who we are and who we’re called to be. For the sake of your mission’s success—today, tomorrow, and henceforth, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Spirit of wisdom,

Across all the work families, staff and personnel, clinical teams and services that comprise our organization, we see an impressive array of people who are singularly committed to expressing your own compassion, by improving health and well-being. It takes a lot of effort! And in today’s healthcare environment, it takes a lot of discernment! For we have to navigate so much complexity and uncertainty, and we have to do it together in constructive ways without becoming understandably frustrated. Give us your assistance, therefore, that we might exercise greater discernment as we strive to intercede on behalf of those who are most vulnerable among us, especially those who are poor, dying, and underserved. Amen.

Prayer

God of justice,

We are proud to serve in a ministry that is so fundamentally committed to practicing the love of neighbor, just as you told us. To be willing to stop and truly see our neighbors in need and then to love them concretely, out of our own resources, ensuring we provide for their health and well-being in the broadest sense. This week especially, we give thanks and pray for all those who serve in public health, and we ask you to bless and empower them to continue the excellent work they perform for the sake of our communities. May we be inspired by their example and recommit ourselves to the shared pursuit of social justice, insisting on a more equitable world. Amen.