Prayer

Good Creator,

The beauty of autumn invites us to wonder at your creativity. The crispness in the air and the vibrant colors transforming each day signal a transition that captures our attention, reminding us to be more alert to this good world you have made and in which we belong. As we “officially” welcome fall today, let this season of transition be filled with opportunities for us, individually and together as a ministry, to reflect on your goodness and mercy in every season, so that we might reflect those same qualities to others. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

We will never run out of reasons to feel grateful, just as we will never run out of opportunities to express gratitude for all the incredible gifts in our lives. What a gracious mystery, that in your divine economy we can share our thanksgiving flagrantly and it is never depleted! For the people among us, for the good things in creation, for the benefits of good work done together, inspire us to express gratitude in tangible, uplifting ways. As we keep our hearts open to receiving and sharing the abundant life you have so richly poured out upon us, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of stillness,

We are called to spend quality time with you, but life can be so busy that we often let those chances pass us by.  Help us to realize the importance of taking life a bit slower, choosing to take moments of stillness in our day, and resting in gratitude at the day’s end for those experiences of your love.  There can never be too many moments of your presence with us, rather help us to recognize you in all our moments of the day.  Amen.

Prayer

Living God,

As members of Catholic health care, we strive to care for and heal all those who walk through our doors each day.  Living out our values of Human Dignity and Compassion, we affirm each person’s right to receive health care, and though we may not always be able to cure, we always care with love and compassion.  Help us to be mindful of the privilege we share as a ministry, of reaching out to those in need, especially those who are poor, dying and underserved.  We pray this in your name. Amen.

Prayer

God of Creation,

The fact that no two flowers are exactly alike inspires us to be grateful for our individuality.  Like fingerprints, we are all created in a unique and beautiful way. Guide us in celebrating our own uniqueness, and the uniqueness of each person on earth.  Gathered together, we resemble a beautiful bouquet of living souls, shining your brightness for all to see.  Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,

All of life here on Earth is a process, and each step of the way takes time.  As children, we are so eager to grow and learn and become adults.  However, in reality we come to realize that life is a process that takes time to grow, incorporating what we have learned into what we become in our adult years. Sometimes we rush the growth too quickly, and then we must revert back to missed steps and learn them over again.  Thankfully, your patience with us never rushes us, but rather accepts each person in their own time.  Help us to be patient with others in the same way.  In gratitude, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of all that is good,

Part of the beauty of this world is learning to accept the imperfections that surround us, allowing us to see that things do not need to be perfect in order to bless us with beauty and goodness. So much of life is based on perfectionism, which tends to squelch the joy out of fully living. Meanwhile, embracing imperfections can often allow us to see the joy of living through unforgettable memories and laughter, which we would have missed by being fixated on what’s wrong.  Thank you for granting us the freedom to not be perfect, but rather to be perfectly loved by you. Amen.