Reflection “Have patience with all things but first of all with yourself.” ~Francis de Sales Prayer Ever-patient God, We tend to lack patience with a whole range of things, but especially perhaps with ourselves. We know it takes

Prayer

Ever-patient God,

We tend to lack patience with a whole range of things, but especially perhaps with ourselves. We know it takes time to grow and transform and attain the calling you’ve put before us, yet it’s still such a challenge to be patient! Help us to be calm and remain faithful, despite the distractions and obstacles, to stay the course to which you have called us and to trust you every step of the way. Just as you are patient with us, help us be patient with ourselves, while at the same time extending that same gift of patience to others.  For this we pray, in faith, hope, and love. Amen.

Reflection “They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou Prayer Healing God, Extending your compassionate ministry leads us to encounter many different people in a host of settings.

Prayer

Healing God,

Extending your compassionate ministry leads us to encounter many different people in a host of settings. Some of these neighbors we get to know well, while others are in and out of our lives quickly. Yet no matter how deep our engagement, inspire us to serve every person we meet to the best of our ability, including even those times when their condition might mean they never even knew we were there.  Whether they learn or remember our names or not, we know they will never forget how we made them feel; and so may we show everyone we encounter today the dignity, compassion, and kindness they deserve. With gratitude that you know our name and you love us as we are, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account.” ~ Anne Wilson Schaef Prayer God of Healthful Living, Your gift of life is an expression of your love and care for us.&

Prayer

God of Healthful Living,

Your gift of life is an expression of your love and care for us.  By keeping ourselves healthy in mind, body, and spirit, we are free to express back to you our gratitude and to share your abundant gifts with others in the context of a healing community.  As we strive to advance your vision of well-being on behalf of neighbors and communities in need, we pray that all our associates and providers and partners would be filled with inspiration for their work and ministry. May they be encouraged and supported, knowing they serve as your hands and feet and are making a difference to the world we inhabit together. Amen.

Reflection “Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” ~Hans Christian Andersen Prayer God of all creation, There is so much more to flourishing than eking by and just earning a living. T

Prayer

God of all creation,

There is so much more to flourishing than eking by and just earning a living. To thrive and flourish in the way you intend means living in the fullness of all the good gifts we’ve been given and stewarding those gifts for the good of others.  Open our eyes to see the good gifts all around us, especially in the blessings of your creation.  The gift of the sun to warm us, the freedom and space to be our true selves, and even the beauty of a small flower, which shows us the splendor of living in simplicity.  As we celebrate your gifts today, grant us a deeper appreciation of your great love for us that we might continue to grow, thrive, and flourish in the ways that we ought.  Amen.

Reflection “Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.” –Henry Ward Beecher Prayer God of compassion, In a culture so prone to judgment and condemnation, empower us to stand up as champions of compassion, committed to seein

Prayer

God of compassion,

In a culture so prone to judgment and condemnation, empower us to stand up as champions of compassion, committed to seeing others through your eyes of mercy. Grant us wisdom to discern the needs around us and the courage to act with kindness and empathy, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. In our thoughts, words, and deeds, may we mirror your boundless love for all people, doing all that we can to heal wounds and overcome divisions. With gratitude for the mission we share, extending your compassionate ministry today, we pray. Amen.

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” –Simone Weil  Prayer  God who sees us, We are humbled by how you see us, attend to us, and love us, just as we are. Help us share this same gift of attention with eac

Prayer 

God who sees us,

We are humbled by how you see us, attend to us, and love us, just as we are. Help us share this same gift of attention with each other—with the patients and families we have the privilege of serving, with the colleagues who serve beside us, and with all those we encounter in the course of this ministry. Let there be no strangers among us today, as we practice seeing all those we meet as icons of your presence and truly listening to the burdens they carry. With gratitude that we are freely able to share such a rare and pure gift as attention, we pray. Amen.

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Prayer

Rejuvenating Spirit,

On this feast day devoted to St. Ignatius of Loyola, we remember the saint’s remarkable journey from wounded soldier to founder and leader of the Jesuit community. Give us a share in St. Ignatius’s spirit, that we might be even bolder in pursuing your will for our lives, personally and together as a ministry, striving to share your abundant life with all people—within our facilities and out in our communities. No matter what it is we’ve been given to do today, inspire us to “set the world on fire” with your message of hope and the promise of restoration. Amen.