Prayer

God of a New Year,

The start of a new year is always exciting and filled with new dreams and endeavors. As our Muslim brothers and sisters walk into this Hijri New Year, we pray with them that the year is filled with many blessings, and that from these blessings many lives draw closer to you. May these moments of celebration be filled with joy, both for the gift of the present and for the new dreams of a brighter future ahead. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of Possibilities,

We often write-off certain expectations and hopes as being “impossible”—until someone does them! Whether it’s a record-breaking scoring career, space flight, or medical miracles, much of what we previously regarded as “impossible” suddenly becomes an accomplished fact. We are inspired to believe that our true possibilities, especially if we are willing to cooperate together, are endless. Help us overcome the “impossibles” around us today by consistently opening the doors to new and exciting things for the good of the world. We thank you in advance for the results! Amen.

Prayer

All-wise God,

Empower us to better serve our patients and families and all those we encounter by seeing them with your eyes, beholding them in the goodness and beauty of their creation before you. As hard as it is, and as obscure as our vision so often becomes, help us to reclaim some measure of the purity of heart we possessed in our youth, even amidst the pain and suffering we continue to witness. Give us the wisdom that commits us to your mission, so we might continue advocating for dignity in a broken world, still able to see what others may have forgotten how to see. Amen.

Prayer

God of Justice and Truth,

We ask your blessing on our nation. Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy, especially those we take for granted. Thank you for the diversity of our people and enlarge our capacity for tolerance and mutual respect. As we celebrate our independence as a sovereign nation, may we also celebrate our interdependence. Make us mindful of the blessings of our rich and abundant land. May your gracious Spirit inspire us to work together to meet the challenges of our times. With all hope, faith, and trust in your, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty God,

At times our world seems filled with so much tumult and strife, division and chaos. We want to change it for the better. Where do we start? Lead us inward, believing in the way you are bringing real change to the world starting within and through us. Help us lean not on our own understanding but to follow the examples of those who, through their own transformation and response to adversity, inspired others to do the same, thereby spreading love and mercy far and wide. Amen.

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

We ask you to fill us today with the courage to disrupt complacency and challenge the injustice we see, so that we may pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Guide us to shake the foundations of apathy while at the same time sowing seeds of compassion, so that your kingdom of love and righteousness may flourish. As a ministry united by your vision of healing, give us the grace to participate with you more fully and to bring more of your dream for the world into reality. Amen.

Prayer

Eternal love,

We give thanks today for the life and witness of St. Oliver Plunkett, who refused to deny his great love for you or for the people you put in his care. Even when he was unjustly hunted and ultimately martyred for his convictions, the depth of his love for you and your people empowered him to stand strong in his faith. May we be empowered in the same way today, to love and serve your people with courage and conviction. Continue to hold us in the palm of your hand, as we strive to extend your compassionate ministry to all those in need. Amen.