Let us recall again that we are in God's presence.
And let us pause for a few moments to stand in the mystery of life, the mystery of our life, breathing, metamorphosing instant by instant, as we go about the work to which we have been called. John Muir once said: “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”
Holy, mysterious Creator, as we pray today for the welfare of all those unborn, we ask for their protection and nurturance within the womb. At the same time, we wish once again to commit our wills and our resources to ensure that all life is valued from birth to death, through affordable childcare, early childhood education, adequate housing, just wages for women (and men), respect for the dignity and wisdom of old age, and on and on.
Sometimes it seems like an insurmountable task, but we believe that by listening to one another and by sharing our “five loaves and two fish,” we can accomplish more than our imaginations can visualize; we can become our best selves, seekers of wisdom and activists for justice and compassion. Your love, nameless and elusive, inspires us to forge ahead despite fatigue and seeming failure. Strengthened by Your ever-sustaining presence, we believe that one day we will rejoice that through our efforts, those held captive by the circumstances of their lives will be freed to live with generous hearts and holy joy. We ask this in Your name.─AMEN