Prayer

Spirit of unity,

Especially in today’s polarized climate, we are called as citizens and as believers to be more deliberate in welcoming people who are different than us into our lives. In your holy word you call us to learn to live at peace with all people, so far as it depends on us, and we know that your peace is never superficial. And so as challenging as it sometimes can be, may we be empowered in our lives and ministry to seek out and welcome voices and perspectives that we are prone to exclude or ignore or make assumptions about. May the culture that we are responsible for creating reflect your own heart of inclusion and respect for everyone’s dignity. With sincerity and truth, anchored in your vision of the common good, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God over all,

During Medicaid Awareness Month we reflect on our call to advocacy in light of our mission, especially our charge to care for those who are the most vulnerable among us, no matter who they are or why they may be in need. We pray for our nation, and ask that those who govern would be given more of your wisdom and compassion on behalf of people who are especially at risk of falling through the cracks in today’s system, because they lack sufficient resources to secure quality care. May we continue to be faithful to these neighbors of ours, using all our resources not just to care for them directly but also to continue supporting programs like Medicaid and other social programs that can effectively protect the marginalized. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Empowering Spirit,

Confronted by the realization of a love stronger than death standing before them, your disciples rightly recoiled in fear. And yet you demonstrated such tenderness with them, as you do with us. You invite us by degrees, step by step, to realize the reality of your living presence within and among us and to be transformed ourselves. Today, lead us beyond all our fears, especially of the unknown to which you are calling us, so that we might foster a deeper awareness and receptivity to your abundant life, which is right now renewing the world and invites us to take part. With faith, hope, and love, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Joyful Creator,

Despite our best efforts we still encounter people who bring us down through a negative attitude. It doesn’t seem to matter what’s going wrong or right in their day, they just seem to enjoy being miserable! Help us respond to these children of yours with grace and longsuffering, remembering that at the end of the day we are still one family before you, and we’re called to act like it. Help us, therefore, to find creative ways to confront these brothers and sisters, to speak the truth in love, and to encourage them to revive a positive attitude that can be just as contagious in the culture we share together. As we all pursue a more joyful way of living and working, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of Little Ones,

Children are a blessing to behold!  They come into this world eager to learn and explore all the new things they can see.  Help us, first and foremost, to guide them to understand your loving care, letting them know that they have always been loved.  We can then celebrate with them all the new things they are learning about the gifts you have given them and shared with us all.  In gratitude for the children of the world, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Beautiful God,

As we walk into this spring season help us to be conscious of all the beauty that is around us in nature.  Your creative hand is in all things, and it doesn’t take much to see your artistic talent:  the budding of trees, the crocuses bursting forth from the ground, breathtaking sunsets to mark our days, not to mention the little creatures being born each day.  Thank you for all the life you see fit to pour out upon us and the rest of creation.  Amen.

Prayer

God of all,

On this celebration day, ending the month-long fast of Ramadan, we ask your blessing on our Muslim brothers and sisters who grew in patience throughout this month of sacrifice. We celebrate together the love that you have for all of us, and we commit ourselves to better extend that love to the rest of the world, especially towards those who are most vulnerable among us, the poor, the underserved, and the dying. In gratitude, we pray. Amen.