Prayer
God of Strength,
On this day in 1814, Pope Pius VII was freed after five years of imprisonment under Napoleon’s rule. In gratitude, he honored Mary with a special feast, recognizing her as Our Lady, Help of Christians. We, too, are ever grateful for her intercession, knowing that she continually leads us to her Son. May we turn to Mary as a source of strength, trusting in her prayers on our behalf and finding comfort in her loving guidance. Through her intercession, may our world be blessed with peace and healing. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

Inspire us to be people of integrity. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may be the people you create and call us to be. May our actions always be consistent with the values we cherish. Give us the courage to practice the principles you call us to embody rather than simply profess them.  May we strive always to live an authentic life, dedicated to serving others and making the world a better place for all. Amen.

Prayer

God over all,

Our lives have been abundantly blessed by people whose influence has made us into who we are today. Sometimes we don’t even realize the good things they gave us until it’s too late to thank them properly. Nonetheless, with grateful hearts, we thank you for them and ask that you would help us honor their impact by paying forward the goodness they showed us. In our relationships at work and home and all in between, may we each try just a bit more to really see one another and speak life to all, especially those most in need of a kind word. Amen.

Prayer

God with us,

Your holy word of Scripture encourages us over and over to live in a way that reveals your own spirit of hospitality, welcome, and inclusion—especially for the sake of the stranger in need. Help us to do better. As people in community and all across our nations, challenge us through to obey your word, embody hospitality, and thereby reflect your compassion to all people, especially those who need it most. May we be surprised with the blessings that follow! Amen.

Prayer

Spirit of Peace,

There are so many things going on in the world that could provoke anxiety in our hearts. Yet we choose instead to pause, and invite you again today, to release us from the burden of worry. Empower us to face this day fueled by your love and the hope of resurrection burning in our hearts. You invite us to take heart and hear the good news, that you have overcome the world and are now offering us a peace beyond understanding. Help each one of us to receive that peace, right now, wherever we are, and whatever we’re doing. We pray especially for those who are anxious, vulnerable, and hurting, that we might be agents of peace to them. Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,

We are often inspired by the good work performed by those who serve faithfully in emergency medical services. Yet this week in particular, we lift them up to you and ask you to bless them with an extra boost in their step, conscious of the way their compassionate care makes such a difference, for people in need and all across our communities. Despite the complexities and challenges they face, may they continue to bring their hearts into the service they provide, and may we continue to champion them, as colleagues and partners in your healing mission today. Amen.

Prayer

Strengthening God,

Since the very beginning of your mission among us, adversities and obstacles have seemed to be part of the program! As we face our own hardships extending your ministry today, help us resist the temptation to lose steam. Motivate us to be agile in response to challenges, and may we be fully present to one another as much as our patients and families—encouraging, exhorting, and strengthening the spirits beside us, so we can all bring our best and live out your mission. May we persevere in faith, hope, and love, we pray. Amen.