Earth Day

Earth Day

Prayer

Creator of all things,

The creatures of the Earth reflect your love and creativity. The abundance of the Earth witnesses to your ongoing care and provision. The systems of the Earth that exist in a delicate balance witness to your vision of harmony for all creation. Loving God, you call us to be good, effective, and just stewards of the gift of Earth. As we celebrate this Earth Day, clarify our vision and renew our hearts, that we might dedicate ourselves to extending the compassionate ministry of Jesus through our care for our common home. Amen.

Reflection “Leadership is found in becoming the servant of all.” –Richard Foster Prayer Servant Lord, When you knew all authority on heaven and earth had been given to you, you stooped low and washed your disciples’ feet. You then

Prayer

Servant Lord,

When you knew all authority on heaven and earth had been given to you, you stooped low and washed your disciples’ feet. You then told them, and us, that this is the pattern of leadership that should define our lives, too. Help us this day, to follow your example and discover the joy of your upside-down kingdom—where the last are first, the humble are exalted, and those who are held in lowest esteem by human eyes are the first to be blessed in yours. May we all find grace today, to lift others up in words and deeds, serving one another as your hands and feet in the world today. Amen.

Reflection “Faith makes it possible, not easy.” –Sally Nguyen Prayer Faithful Lord, We have no reason to doubt your faithfulness to us, yet sometimes we struggle to be faithful in return, especially when times are tough. As we thi

Prayer

Faithful Lord,

We have no reason to doubt your faithfulness to us, yet sometimes we struggle to be faithful in return, especially when times are tough. As we think of our patients and families going through illness, we ask you to fill them with faith, hope, and love. May they be freshly aware of your faithful and empowering presence beside them, that they may be empowered to endure their trials, knowing they are not alone. May we be privileged to serve them, as extensions of your comfort and peace, doing all that we can to lighten their burden. Amen.

Reflection “You will be judged on how well you treat those who can do nothing for you.” –Kevin Kelly Prayer Merciful God, There’s a spirit of competition in our culture, which urges us to think about every transaction in terms of

Prayer

Merciful God,

There’s a spirit of competition in our culture, which urges us to think about every transaction in terms of what we stand to get out of it. Your spirit urges us otherwise. As partners in ministry with you, striving to extend your own compassion to those who are at their most vulnerable, we ask for ongoing fortitude and resilience, that we might remain faithful to our mission even when it’s hard or when we don’t hear words of gratitude or get rewarded for our diligence. Keep us anchored in a deep sense of purpose that can help us stay focused on treating people well, no matter what, especially when they can do nothing for us in exchange. Amen.

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.