Reflection “Every problem has two handles. You can grab it by the handle of fear or the handle of hope.” –Margaret Mitchell Prayer God of hope, Lead us to embrace our challenges filled with hope, the kind of hope that ultimately

Prayer

God of hope,

Lead us to embrace our challenges filled with hope, the kind of hope that ultimately comes from you. Inspire us not to run from the problems we see, no matter how daunting, but to remember that we have been given a spirit of boldness and power and have been commissioned by you to transform the world, literally! As servants in your cause, help us to grab the problems we face with hope. Make us willing to risk our comfort and security in order that hope might drive us towards the right course of action. For ourselves, for our families, for our patients and communities, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care.” –Mandy Hale Prayer Compassionate God, Every day we encounter vulnerable neighbors affected by

Prayer

Compassionate God,

Every day we encounter vulnerable neighbors affected by complex ailments facing social realities that compound their plight. In our communities, we see systemic challenges that are just as hard to address. Encourage us in the face of all this, as those called by your name. As we leverage our gifts, talent, and resources to improving health and well-being, help us rely above all on your heart of compassion moving in us. May we remember that beyond our power to fix, it’s our caring that makes all the difference. Through caring words and deeds, help us make a difference in people’s lives today. Amen.

Reflection “Invite people into your life that don’t look or think like you.” –Mellody Hobson Prayer Spirit of unity, Especially in today’s polarized climate, we are called as citizens and as believers to be more deliberate in welc

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.

Medicaid Awareness Month

Medicaid Awareness Month

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.

Reflection “It is I. Do not be afraid.” –John 6:20 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

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.

Reflection “Misery is a communicable disease.” –Martha Graham 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

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.

Reflection “Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.” – Wess Stafford 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 s

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.