International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

Prayer

God of all people,

We take time today to honor all the indigenous peoples who, long before us, dwelt on the land we now inhabit together.  The wisdom of their cultures and their practices of living in harmony with nature are needed correctives to much of the waywardness we see in today’s means of production and consumption. As we recognize and celebrate those ancestors who gave their hearts and souls to shape a world worth leaving their children, help us to honor them concretely by reforming ways of being and doing that are destructive to sustainability, community, and the harmony you embedded in the gift of creation. As one human family, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “It takes courage to create a meaningful life of integrity. It also requires good company. And practice.” ~ Shelly Francis Prayer God of Character, As partners in ministry at Bon Secours Mercy Health, we come to work e

Prayer

God of Character,

As partners in ministry at Bon Secours Mercy Health, we come to work each day aspiring to live out our organizational values, including our value of integrity. In all our personal and collective interactions—with patients and families, co-workers and partners and venders, inside and outside our ministry—we commit to act ethically and to model right relationships. Empower us, therefore, to live up to this value and never to compromise our integrity for any price. Instead may we be courageous in the way we embody integrity, along with all of the values that sustain us together. Amen.

Reflection “Summer has a flavor like no other. Always fresh and simmered in sunshine.” ~ Oprah Winfrey Prayer God of the seasons, As we approach the final days of summer, lead us to cherish all the sweetness that summer brings: s

Prayer

God of the seasons,

As we approach the final days of summer, lead us to cherish all the sweetness that summer brings: sunshine and ice cream, family vacations with food on the grill, the gift of good times together through the long hours of daylight.  Although these events will soon become memories, help us to remember the joy and happiness they gave us, that we might carry that joy into the coming season of Fall. You send us so many simple, yet wonderful, gifts, which are well worth remembering.  In gratitude and praise, we pray, Amen.

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.