Prayer

Life-giving Spirit,

Our work is serious, and we need the gifts of levity, laughter, and light-hearted moments to stay balanced and resilient. As we focus on serving patients and communities to the best of our ability today, may we also invite a healing spirit of humor that can unite us, especially when we are otherwise tempted to feel crushed by harsh realities. For those especially strained by the weight of their calling, bless them with opportunities to catch a good breath of refreshment and a slice of life’s joy that can strengthen their spirits and give them new momentum. As partners with you and each other, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

As we extend your healing compassion to others in need today, help us to be fully present and truly to listen to patients and families and all those we encounter. Enable us to quiet our minds and give them our undivided attention, honoring their words in a way that reflects your attentive care for us. May our hearts be open to truly hear, understand, and respond to them with compassion and grace, so that our service to them mirrors the same focus and devotion that you so graciously show to us daily. Amen.

Prayer

God of the journey,

As we celebrate Lunar New Year today, we take time to appreciate the gift of each and every day, for the new beginning each day gives us to live our best selves in community with others, all for the sake of your good purposes among us. Inspire us simply to keep going on the journeys to which you have called and equipped each of us, no matter what. For those who are tempted to stop, let neighbors, friends, and colleagues support and encourage them to take just the next step in the right direction. Amen.

Prayer

God our deliverer,

It is often hard to wait on you and listen for your voice, especially when we feel ourselves sinking in the midst of challenging circumstances. For all those today who are sick, suffering, or otherwise in need of deliverance, we ask you to hear their cries and respond to their prayers. Use us as your instruments of healing today so that, to the best of our ability, we might guide them to wholeness through compassionate actions that can restore their footing, steady their steps, and revive their hope yet again. As we all learn to wait on you, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Always good God,

Our lives are always driven by a mixture of motives, yet we invite you to purify our hearts today, so that our service on behalf of others will better reflect the generous blessings of your own goodness and love. No matter what we’ve been called to do today, empower us to do it selflessly and for the right reasons. With hope and expectation, use our words and deeds to transform the brokenness around us while providing new paths of healing and wholeness, in service to the common good. Amen.

Prayer

Liberating God,

In the course of a day we are confronted with many events beyond our control. It’s tempting at times to feel like victims of circumstance, tempted to negativity. When this kind of pessimism starts to swell in our hearts, help us to stop, retrieve our composure, and remember the freedom you have won for us. May we freely choose to have a better attitude filled with a hope that can inspire us and overflow to those around us. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious Spirit,

Our culture invites us to adopt a narrow vision of success, driven by self-preservation, self-realization, and self-promotion. Yet these are the buzz words of a lonely existence, over-inflated with self-concern. As a ministry called to turn outward in service to others, help us keep our focus on what truly matters for the life and vitality of our communities, so that we may continue providing good help where it’s needed most. In pursuit of peace and healing, compassion and belonging, love and cooperation, we pray.  Amen.