Reflection “I sought the LORD, and he answered me And delivered me from all my fears. Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.” —Psalm 34:5-6 Prayer God who hears us, We pause now to seek your face again, thankful that yo

Prayer

God who hears us,

We pause now to seek your face again, thankful that you are so faithful to answer our prayers and deliver us from every fear that would grip our hearts. Help us focus on you today, the source of all joy, so we might freely share your life-giving love with others, especially those who are most in need. For the sake of all our patients and families and wider communities, may our lives reflect your healing compassion, drawing all those we serve into a deeper experience of wholeness, integrity, and peace. Amen.

Reflection “If you want to see the brave, look at those who can forgive. If you want to see the heroic, look at those who can love in return for hatred.” –the Bhagavad Gita Prayer Holy Spirit, Bravery and heroism are expressed in

Prayer

Holy Spirit,

Bravery and heroism are expressed in many ways, yet perhaps never so powerfully as when we choose to forgive those who wrong us; or when we are strong enough to confront hatred with love. As those called by your name, fill us with your spirit so we can exemplify your character towards all those we encounter, including even those who are hard to love or who otherwise offend us. May our lives bear witness to your grace and mercy, and may we be instruments of peace and reconciliation in a world that desperately needs your healing touch. Amen.

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.