Gracious God, You meet us in unexpected places.

Traces of Your grace are strewn all over our schedule heavy lives.

We ask to be stirred and disturbed toward soul-satisfying results in our desires to serve You and neighbor, and even our enemy.

Ease us into being good Samaritans to each other, to the outcast and rejected ones, and to those whose fear sometimes makes them obnoxious.

Make us bold to call others to accountability—

even as we model humility to the arrogant,

mercy to the self-righteous,

compassion to the indifferent.

God of many surprises, make us glad of heart for each day’s opportunities to bring our imagination and creativity to the disturbances that threaten to discourage us.

We will continue to believe in the impossible.—AMEN.

_{(Adapted from My Heart in My Mouth by Ted Loder)}

Hanto Yo means “clear the way” in the Lakota language of the North American Plains.

God of surprises, You call us from the narrowness of our traditions to new ways of being human, from the captivities of our culture to creative witness for justice, from the smallness of our horizons to the magnificence of Your vision.

Clear the way in us, Your people, that we might invite others to freedom and renewed faith.

God of surprises, You call us from preoccupation with our own histories and hurts to daily tasks of peacemaking, from privilege and protocol to partnership and pilgrimage, from isolation and insularity to inclusive community.

Clear the way in us, Your people, that we might invite others to wholeness and integrity.

Holy, transforming Spirit, You call us from fear to faithfulness, from clutter to clarity, from a desire to control to deeper trust, from the refusal to love to a readiness to risk.

Clear the way in us, Your people, that we might all know the beauty and the power of spreading Your good news of love.—AMEN.

^{(“From One Race the Human Race: Racial Justice Sunday 2003” by Gwyn Cashmore and Joan Puls)}

Please join me in a moment of quiet reflection:

There are over 40 countries and cultures in the Asian Pacific Island area. Their cultural influence on the world stage is now a natural part of our everyday life. In the areas of art, music, dance, literature, food, philosophy, spirituality, economics and politics… in every dimension of our lives, we have a “fusion” of cultural flavors… and it is wonderful.

It is both beautiful and meaningful to take pride in the cultures and traditions within which we have been raised. Even more beautiful is it to take pride in the multi-cultural heritage that, in essence, we all share, here in the United States of America; and most especially in being a part of the State of California.

Although there are about 200 countries recognized by the United Nations in the world today, in reality, we are not separate. We are all one humanity in the borderless geography of the Earth.

With a vision of the world as one, we will begin to live with empathy and kindness for we realize we are all connected in the fabric of life.

Today is a reminder for us to embrace and appreciate the beauty of diversity.

Namo Amida Butsu—With kindness and gratitude beyond words…

The following quote is attributed to Elders of the Hopi Nation:

We have been telling people that this is the Eleventh Hour; now we must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered…

Know your garden.

Speak your truth.

Create your community.

Be good to each other.

And do not look outside yourself for your leader.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Banish the word ‘struggle’ from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

So Gracious God of all time and of this moment, we thank You for where You will lead us this day—in service of Your people, with compassion, courage, and commitment, and in awe of Your making us worthy to be the people we’ve been waiting for.—AMEN.

Cosmologist Brian Swimme says, “This must be a central facet of human existence—to have the truth right in front of us and yet be unable to… recognize it.” So today, we pray:

Gracious and loving God, we thank You for the gift of sight and insight that give depth and meaning to our lives.

Slow us down that we may see the beauty that surrounds us—under the blue sky, and in the face of each person we meet.

Help us to see beyond appearances to the mystery and the potential in all that has been created.

May we recognize the negative effects of fear and self-interest, as we affectively look for opportunities to serve the common good.

Gracious God, we trust that You see deeply into our hearts, and love what You see.—AMEN.

_{(The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos by Brian Swimme)}

On this World Day for Cultural Diversity, we pray:

Holy Mystery,

You, the One

From whom on different paths

All of us have come—

You, the One

To whom on different paths

All of us are going—

Make strong in our hearts what unites us;

Build bridges across what divides us;

United, make us rejoice in our diversity.

Make us one in our witness to Your peace,

A rainbow to Your glory.—AMEN.

_{(David Steindl-Rast)}

On this Harvey Milk Day, we pray:

Merciful God, grant us the grace to follow the example of our brother Harvey Milk, that we might fearlessly contend against evil and make no peace with oppression. May we employ our freedom and our privilege in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations. We pray to be agents of change and proclaimers of the hope that will never be silent. We ask this in Your name, You who have called us to walk in love together.—AMEN.

_{(“A Prayer for Harvey Milk Day” by All Saints Church, Pasadena, CA)}

We pray the prayer of Howard Thurman today—

Lord, my God,

Open unto me—

Light for my [blindness]; courage for my fear; hope for my despair; and peace for my turmoil.

Open unto me—

Joy for my sorrow; strength for my weakness; wisdom for my confusion; and forgiveness for my sin.

Lord, open unto me—

Tenderness for my toughness; love for my hates.

Thy Self for myself, Lord, Lord, open unto me!—AMEN.

Gracious and merciful God, on this Memorial weekend, we remember all who have died in the service of our country, whose hearts and hopes are known to You alone.

Comfort those who grieve the loss of loved ones and let Your healing be the hope in their hearts.

Hear our prayer of gratitude for those who put the welfare of others ahead of their own and give us hearts as generous as theirs.

May all who pay the price for our liberty experience courage, hope, and strength through our compassionate support and gentle love.

Help us to shape a world where we will turn our swords into ploughshares for a harvest of justice and peace.

You who created us, who sustain us, who call us to live in peace, hear our prayer this day.—AMEN.

_{(Austin Fleming)}

We have only begun to know the power that is in us

if we would join our solitudes in the communion of struggle.

So much is unfolding that must complete its gesture.

_{(“Beginners” in Candles in Babylon by Denise Levertov)}

God of infinite creativity, the celebration of Pride Month acknowledges and appreciates the resilience of the many LGBTQ+ persons who have overcome eons of stigma, diminishment, and misunderstanding, while, at the same time, making incalculable contributions to the advancement of society.

As we celebrate the fulfillment of our highest ideals of love, appreciation, and understanding of the mystery of our humanity, may we express more clearly our intention of inclusivity and radical hospitality for those still marginalized.

Together we have the power to eliminate all forms of injustice, oppression, and violence against the LGBTQ+ community as we proclaim with pride that diversity is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived.

And let us say with Cyndi Lauper: I see your true colors shining through; don’t be afraid to let them show; your colors are beautiful—like a rainbow.—AMEN.

Let us recall that we are in God’s presence.

O God of peace, we seek rest for our spirits and light for our thoughts.

We bring our work to be sanctified, our wounds to be healed, our hopes to be renewed.

You, in whom we are one, lift us from the loneliness of self, and fill us with the fullness of Your love.

Rise us above the limits of our daily imperfections.

Send us visions of the love that is in You and of the good that will be accomplished in us this day.

Your greatness is beyond our praise.—AMEN.

_{(From Interfaith Ministry Handbook compiled by Matt Sanders)}

Merciful and mysterious God, You who never cease to practice the art of creating,

keep us ever at the edge of our skills,

our habits,

our vision,

that we may never grow so content in our creating

that we miss Your presence

You, who are ever about to do a new thing in our world.

We ask this in Your name.—AMEN. :)

_{(In the Sanctuary of Women by Jan L. Richardson)}

Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us, and new beauty waiting to be born.

_{(Dale E. Turner)}

Glorious God, today we thank You for the work of our Senate as we bring the dreams and hopes of many to a workable reality. May we continue to discover untapped possibilities through our conversation and collaboration. May we nurture our dreams to fulfillment through patient exploration and courageous discovery. May we not grow tired of our efforts to bring peace, health, and prosperity to the constituents whom we serve.—AMEN.

Holy Mystery surrounding us,

Pouring out Your prodigal energies with profligate innovation,

Receive our prayer of awe and gratitude.

We contribute our personal minds to this elegant universe,

Creating harmonies this day with all that exists,

And the music of Your alluring presence everywhere.

We join our hearts and our imaginations, and all our physical and spiritual resources with this magnificent evolving reality,

Rejoicing in Your presence always.—AMEN.

_{(Adapted from Prayers to an Evolutionary God by William Cleary)}

If you wish to draw near to God, the Sufi poet Abu Sa’id tells us how:

If you wish to draw near to God,

seek God in the hearts around you.

Speak well of all, present or absent.

If you would be a light for others,

be like the sun: show the same face to all.

To bring joy to a single heart is better

than building countless shrines for worship;

To capture one heart through kindness is better

than setting a thousand free.

This is the true lover of God,

who lives with others,

rises and eats and sleeps like others,

gives and takes in the bazaar,

yet never forgets God even for a moment.

And on this 80th anniversary of D-Day: 

Gracious God, fill us with Your joy as we continue to grow closer to You and work for peace in our world.—AMEN.

“…And Juneteenth, the day we celebrate the end of slavery, the day we memorialize those who offered us hope for the future, and the day when we renew our commitment to the struggle for freedom.”

_{(Angela Davis)}

Gracious and merciful God, as we celebrate Juneteenth this week, we give thanks for the hope and perseverance of the African American people, who continue to contribute generously to the advancement of society. May all of us celebrate, remember, and act on the words of civil rights leader, Howard Thurman, when he says:

Look well to the growing edge!

All around us worlds are dying, and new worlds are being born…

This is the basis of hope in moments of despair, the incentive to carry on when times are out of joint…

Look well to the growing edge!

And so loving God, may we not close our eyes to our growing edges and the lessons of Juneteenth. Let us not make anyone wait for the freedom to live in their own truth and integrity. Turn our good intentions into acts of justice and reparation for the failures of the past. And may we learn to actively celebrate the freedom from oppression of each and every person.

This we ask in Your name.—AMEN.

Come, O Life-giving Spirit, transform us.

Stir up in us the flame of Love, which is Your gift.

Give us wisdom to see as You see.

Give us understanding to hear as You hear.

Give us courage and strength to walk the way of justice and integrity.

Kindle in us wonder and awe that we may have grateful spirits.

You who dwell within us, praying unceasingly, fill us with love and devotion.

Holy Wisdom, guide us in the choices we must make.

Give us discerning hearts, that we may choose what is good in accordance with Your desire.

Loving God of Mercy, finish in us the work You have begun.—AMEN.

_{(“Catherine McAuley’s Prayer for Guidance”)}

Merciful and healing God, today we share in the longings of Langston Hughes’ poem, “I Dream a World”:

I dream a world where [all]
No other [one] will scorn,
Where love will bless the Earth
And peace its paths adorn.

I dream a world where all
Will know sweet freedom’s way,
Where greed no longer saps the soul
Nor avarice blights our day.

A world I dream where black or white,
Whatever race you be,
Will share the bounties of the Earth
And every [one] is free,

Where wretchedness will hang its head
And joy, like a pearl,
Attends the needs of humankind—
Of such I dream, my world!

Loving God, may we continue to work for such a dream.—AMEN.

_{(Langston Hughes)}

Spirit, Giver of Life, as You care for all of creation, give us Your peace.

May our security come not from weapons, but from respect.

May our strength come not from violence, but from love.

May our own wealth come not from money, but from sharing.

May our path be not one of ambition, but of justice.

May our victory be one of forgiveness, so that unarmed and confident, we will be moved and committed to defend the dignity of all peoples.

On behalf of all creation, may we share today and always the bread of solidarity and peace.—AMEN.

We are all in the same boat, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.

_{(G.K. Chesterton)}

Gracious God, in the urgency of our world context, below the violence and turbulence of the waves, help us to make evident our passionate commitment to ending all that leads to impoverishment, misunderstandings, and judgments of others. May our growing consciousness of the interdependence among us and with all creation, galvanize us in that loyalty that we owe to each other,

a loyalty of faith that entrusts our fears to the goodness of those who love unconditionally,

a loyalty of hope, that impels us to work for a sustainable future,

and a loyalty of love, that allows us to be faithful to each other, regardless of real or perceived differences.

For we know that Your love excludes no one.—AMEN.

On a summer morning

I sat down

on a hillside

to think about God—

a worthy pastime.

Near me, I saw

a single cricket;

it was moving the grains of the hillside

this way and that way.

How great was its energy,

how humble its effort.

Let us hope

it will always be like this,

each of us going on

in our inexplicable ways

building the universe.

Loving and expansive God, may our work be a hymn of gratitude to the mystery of Your presence and our creativity as we go about our ordinary work in extraordinary ways. We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.

_{(“Song of the Builders” in Why I Wake Early by Mary Oliver)}

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [persons] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

_{(Declaration of Independence)}

Gracious God, of the past, present, and future, as we celebrate the birthday of our national independence, we confess our ongoing dependence on You. We pray that we will continue to make real the courage of our forebearers in these tempestuous days. May our freedom of speech serve to build community and collaboration; may our freedom of worship lead us to gratitude for all we have received; and may our freedom from want and fear enrich us with creative ideas for ensuring the life, liberty, and happiness of all of our brothers and sisters. May all that is high and fine in us rise to greet each new day confident that we will achieve the ideals that we know to be self-evident.—AMEN.

_{(Chaplain, Rev. Frederick Brown Harris, D.D.)}

Merciful God, we gather again after rest and relaxation to continue the ongoing work of government. In the words of the poet Brendan Kennelly, let us:

Begin again to the summoning birds

to the sight of the light at the window,

begin to the roar of morning traffic

all along N Street.

Every beginning is a promise

born in light and dying in dark

determination and exaltation of the seasons

flowering the way to work.

Begin to the pageant of queuing constituents

the arrogant loneliness of crows downtown

bridges linking the past and future

old friends passing, though with us still….

Though we live in a world that dreams of ending

that always seems about to give in,

something that will not acknowledge conclusion

insists that we forever begin.

And so may we continue to trust in the presence and guidance of our God.—AMEN.

_{(The Essential by Brendan Kennelly)}

O Lord, give me eyes which see nothing but Your glory.

Give me a mind that finds delight in Your service.

Give me a soul drunk in the wine of Your wisdom.

O Lord, though the blue flower be poisonous,

if it is of Your garden, and if so-and-so be a sinner,

he is of Your people.

Lord, when You were hidden from me,

the fever of life possessed me.

When You reveal yourself, this fever of life departs.

O Lord, intoxicate me with the wine of Your love,

make me empty of all but Your love.—AMEN.

_{(The Wisdom of the Sufis by Kenneth Cragg)}

As students and teachers begin another school year, and as all of us continue to be educated every day, let us pray that we will never throw in the towel when situations become difficult, as illustrated in this poem, by Sister Pat Ryan:

I nearly threw in the towel

It was May, my first year teaching

After Algebra class, Carleen whispered in my ear

Sister, when are you going to learn what X is?

O Carleen, so many years later

I cannot tell you a lot more about X

It not only marks the spot

It symbolizes every unknown, every mystery

It’s the letter that everyone is looking for

I’ve learned so much

Since you stunned me with that question

My answer right now would be “Never”

We are never going to learn what X is

It is the nameless essence of the eternal search

The magnet pulling the evolutionary process

It is totally available and open to any brain

That needs a marker to hold on to

The infinite reality passing through

We are never going to learn what X is

But we will never stop trying.—AMEN.

O God, who weeps at fractured lives,

Inspire us to heal the hurting.

Help us to seal the cracks

Created by our complicity in failing to love.

May our words and actions speak love and not complacency.

May we choose love—

When faced with mindless hate,

Love—when faced with retaliation,

Love—when tempted by deception,

Love—when addressing poverty and other issues of our time.

May we choose love—

When speaking with our neighbors,

Love—when lured by bad choices,

Love—when electing leaders.

May we choose love—

When facing racism, sexism, heterosexism, homophobia, or transphobia.

In all the things we do, in all the words we say,

May we always choose love,

And demonstrate our love with action.—AMEN.

_{(Adapted from “Alive Now” by Ann Freeman Price and Ciona D. Rouse)}

God of all creation, at the beginning of this new week, fill us with wonder and gratitude for the abundance of Your blessings. Teach us to delight in the anticipation of this day’s surprises.

We lift our voices to praise You for the beauty of the Earth, for the harvests of field and orchard. Give us hearts that long to share with those who suffer from want and hopelessness. 

Bring the healing light of Your presence into the struggles of our lives, so that by our efforts for the common good, our world will draw closer to healing, peace, and justice.—AMEN.

This is my prayer to You, oh Lord—strike, strike at the root of penury in my heart.

Give the strength lightly to bear my joys and sorrows.

Give the strength to make my love fruitful in service.

Give the strength never to disown the poor or bend my knees before insolent might.

Give the strength to raise my mind high above daily trifles.

And give me strength to surrender my strength to Your will with love.—AMEN.

_{(From Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore)} 

The poet Gwendolyn Brooks has said:

“We are each other’s harvest, we are each other’s business, we are each other’s magnitude and bond.”

_{(“Paul Robeson” in Family Pictures)}

Loving God, Holy Mystery, we thank You for the energy that drives us toward creativity, and entwines our lives with each other. May our hearts be ever more hopeful as we continue to create that beloved community where all can enjoy the thrill of forging life and love in our precious State of California. We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.

_{(Adapted from We Side with the Morning by William Cleary)} 

Today’s prayer is from Guerrillas of Grace: 

Merciful God, thank You for each moment:

For the charged moment,

the confrontation,

the accurate demand,

for the hard decision, 

the breathless gamble,

the unexpected growing,

for my intense heart and the truth expanding in me.

Focus me to be open to whatever comes as a gift

and to praise You in it.—AMEN.

_{(Guerrillas of Grace by Ted Loder)}

The heavens are telling the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of God’s hands.

There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard,

Yet their music goes out through all the Earth,

And their utterances to the end of the world….

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart….

But who can discern their own weaknesses?

Acquit us, O Lord, from our hidden faults….

Let our fears not have dominion over us.

Then shall we become a beneficial presence,

Freely and fully surrendered to Your Love.

Loving God, may the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight this day.—AMEN.

_{(From Psalms for Praying by Nan C. Merrill)}

And today we pray in the words of Thich Nhat Hanh:

We turn toward the light of loving-kindness to direct us.

We bow deeply to the Awakened One and to our spiritual ancestors.

Today we begin anew to purify and free our hearts.

With immeasurable compassion to help humankind, we resolve to live beautifully.

May our heart’s garden of awakening bloom with hundreds of flowers.

May mountains and rivers be our witness in this moment as we bow our heads and request the Lord of Compassion to embrace us all.—AMEN.

_{(From Interfaith Ministry Handbook compiled by Matt Sanders)}

O God of gifts, quicken in me a sense of humor

bright enough to help me find my way

in these tarnished times,

fruitful enough to be made the wine of hope

to warm the hearts of those I live and work with.

Make me glad to be one of a kind,

yet one with a kind,

called not to be more like others,

but more of myself,

a guerrilla of grace,

that, in daring to be authentic,

I may become more of a human-kind.

O God of gifts, liberate me to share,

without apology or arrogance,

not only the gifts I have,

but the gift I am.—AMEN.

_{(From Guerrillas of Grace by Ted Loder)}

O God of peace, we seek energy for our spirits and light for our thoughts.

We bring our work to be sanctified, our wounds to be healed, our hopes to be renewed.

You, in whom all are one, fill us with the fullness of Your love.

Raise us beyond the limits of our daily imperfections.

Send us visions of the love that is in You and of the good that will be accomplished through us.

Your greatness is beyond our praise.—AMEN.

_{(From Interfaith Ministry Handbook compiled by Matt Sanders)}

Loving God, on this Labor Day weekend, we pray for all who shoulder the tasks of human labor.

We thank You for the gift and opportunity of work; may our efforts result in blessings for the lives of others.

We pray for all those seeking employment; may they be successful in their search for fulfilling work.

We pray in gratitude for the valuable contributions of those who are now retired; may they enjoy the fruits of their labors.

In all we do, may our working and our resting give praise to You, our generous God.—AMEN.

Upon invitation of the President, the following prayer was offered by Senator Stern, as written by the Chaplain, 

Sister Michelle Gorman, RSM: 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

(Psalm 34:18)

Gracious and merciful God, We pray for all whose lives have been touched by the tragedy of wars. 

For those who mourn: immerse them in your love and lead them through their suffering into in your consoling arms.

For those who bring comfort: be present in both the words they use and in all that's left unspoken. Fill each heart with trust and love.

Help each of us to contribute to the peace that we so greatly desire. 

Inspire politicians, peacemakers, and soldiers, hostages, relief workers with the energy and the determination to repair the world, so that all can experience compassion, sustenance, repentance, forgiveness, healing, security, and your universal love. May endurable peace emerge out of great suffering and great love.—AMEN.

This prayer is based on Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s reflections on Amos 5:24 and Micah 6:8:

Merciful God, in times of fear amid rumors of war,

we pray that one day

justice will roll down like a river, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

We pray that all elected officials will do justice, love mercy,

and walk humbly with their God.

We pray that one day war will come to an end,

that nations will no longer rise up against nations.

We pray that one day everyone will sit under their own vine and fig tree,

and none will be afraid.

We pray that one day the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

and all flesh will see it together.

We pray that with this faith we will be able to adjourn the councils of despair

and bring new light into the chambers of pessimism.

We pray that with this faith we will speed up the day

when there will be peace on Earth and goodwill toward all.

And we pray for that glorious day, when the morning stars will sing together,

and the children of God will shout for joy.—AMEN.

_{(Based on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s reflections on Amos 5:24 and Micah 6:8 and Adapted from Education for Justice)}

God of mercy and compassion, during these days of devastating fires throughout Los Angeles, bless us with a felt sense of Your abiding presence as life strips away all our comforts and securities, everything we thought we needed.

Help those affected and all those providing aid to build endurance and strength for the difficult days ahead.

May those of us watching from afar not become numb to the anguish of each individual who has lost all that is precious whether it be life or possessions.

Instead, may our broken hearts urge us to engaged prayer and loving action, in collaboration with government relief workers, churches, and volunteers.

May all those suffering the trauma of loss feel the love and support of a community caring for each others’ welfare. We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.

_{(“A Blessing for the Underworld Journey” by Christine Valters Paintner, OblSB, Ph.D.)}

From the Book of Wisdom, Chapter 3:

The souls of the just are in the hand of God.

No torment shall touch them now. 

Gracious and merciful God, on this day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, we pray in gratitude for the witness of his life. He lived with generosity, courage, integrity, and joy. He loved his God, and he loved his neighbor. May each one of us honor his memory by taking inspiration from his dedication to all, regardless of race or creed. May we act courageously to continue his work for the good of humanity by encouraging love, mercy, and justice in all that we do. And may he now rest in Your loving embrace, along with the love of his life, Rosalynn. We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.

Merciful and ever-loving Creator, once again, we begin a new year in the western world—a new year of hope, where we remember that it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. So, we pray for our legislators that as they commit to work for the common good, they will, in the words of Howard Thurman:

Light many candles this [New Year]:
Candles of joy, despite all sadness.
Candles of hope, where despair keeps watch.
Candles of courage, for fears ever present.
Candles of peace, for tempest-tossed days.
Candles of grace, to ease heavy burdens.
Candles of love, to inspire all their living.
Candles that will burn all the year long.

Gracious God, we thank You for all the blessings You will impart to our lives this year.—AMEN.

_{(The Mood of Christmas by Howard Thurman)}

In 1954, Lillian Smith posed the following questions in her book, In 1954, Lillian Smith posed the following questions in her book, The Journey:

A century from now

What shall be said of our journey in these times?

And who shall the shapers have been?

[Shall they be]

The hopeful dreamers

Who were strong enough to suffer for the dream,

Or the fearful pessimists

Who were convinced that dreaming and hope

Are for sleepers only,

Not for those awake to the age?

A century from now

Shall hope have been strong enough

To enable living with unanswerable questions?

Or shall the pain

That a transitional age necessarily brings

Have caused a retreat to old answers

That no longer acknowledge new questions?

Gracious God of creativity and newness, as we begin this session, open our eyes to the immensity of our call to be shapers of our future. Let us be hopeful dreamers dedicating our strength to make the dreams of our people a reality. Help us to live into the unanswerable questions with courage and trust, acknowledging new questions as potential for the discovery of greater truth and freedom. May we listen attentively and respond generously to the needs of all our people so that a century from now all will know that our journey was not in vain. We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.

Upon invitation of the President, the following prayer was offered by Senator Portantino, as written by the Chaplain, Sister Michelle Gorman, RSM: 

Heart of Love, source of all kindness; teacher of the ways of goodness:

You are hidden in the pockets of daily life, waiting to be discovered.

Heart of Comfort, sheltering wings of love; refuge for sad and lonely ones:

You embrace all who bear loss, gathering our tears with care.

Heart of Understanding, one who gazes upon the imperfect, the incomplete, the flawed, the weak: You never stop extending mercy. 

Heart of Generosity, abundance of insight and hope:

Daily You offer us gifts of growth, leading to continual transformation.

Heart of Deepest Peace, resting place at the core of our being:

You are waiting always for our return to this sacred home.—AMEN.

(“Heart of Love” by Joyce Rupp.)

Come, O Life-giving Spirit, transform us.

Kindle within us the warmth of Your love, which is Your gift.

Give us wisdom to see as You see.

Give us understanding to hear as You hear.

Give us courage and strength to walk the way of justice and integrity.

Awaken in us wonder and awe that we may have grateful spirits.

You who dwell within us, pray unceasingly, fill us with love and devotion.

Holy Wisdom, guide us in all the choices we must make.

Give us discerning hearts, that we may choose what is good in accordance with Your desire.

Loving God of Mercy, finish in us the work You have begun.—AMEN.

_{(“Catherine McAuley’s Prayer for Guidance”)}

This Lunar New Year gives us the opportunity to celebrate the Year of the Snake. With celebration comes joy, and joy is a sign of enlightenment.  The Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh says:  “Enlightenment is always there. Small enlightenment will bring great enlightenment. If you breathe in and are aware that you are alive - that you can touch the miracle of being alive - then that is a kind of enlightenment.”

And so today we pray: may we be enlightened enough to notice the blessings of each day; to value all persons for their presence, their gifts, their contributions to the ongoing evolution of our civilization. May we banish from our hearts fear, prejudice, arrogance, and all that would prevent us from appreciating the beauty of creation, and the joy we can share in truly encountering one another. May we be open to insight, wisdom, and creativity in this New Year.—AMEN.

In honor of Black History Month, let us pray:

Loving God, give us a heart that inspires us to love without reservation,

to continue to step out in courageous service to one another,

and never to dig up in doubt what we have planted in faith.

Guard our hearts from the distractions of the shallow,

and keep us on the critical path for which You have called us this day.

Fortify us with Your grace to speak kindly,

to keep our words and actions on the upswing

and to refuse to allow any brokenness to infiltrate our spirits.

Let Your light shine through the cracks and splinters

of the less-than-perfect portions of our hearts.

May we forgive ourselves our imperfections,

and in response, return needed compassionate forgiveness to others.—AMEN.

This Lunar New Year gives us the opportunity to celebrate the Year of the Snake. With celebration comes joy, and joy is a sign of enlightenment.  The Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh says:  “Enlightenment is always there. Small enlightenment will bring great enlightenment. If you breathe in and are aware that you are alive - that you can touch the miracle of being alive - then that is a kind of enlightenment.”

And so today we pray: may we be enlightened enough to notice the blessings of each day; to value all persons for their presence, their gifts, their contributions to the ongoing evolution of our civilization. May we banish from our hearts fear, prejudice, arrogance, and all that would prevent us from appreciating the beauty of creation, and the joy we can share in truly encountering one another. May we be open to insight, wisdom, and creativity in this New Year.

—AMEN.

We reflect on this poem by Mary Wickham called “Mercy”:

If we utter the word mercy,

standing, each of us, by an open window

anywhere we are in the world,

then the word mercy will carry on the soundwaves

outwards and unceasing,

through the air of the wounded world.

And maybe, when it takes flight

into deed and kindness, justice and effort,

it will effect a healing, a hope, and a blessing.

It may call the homeless home,

it may coax to hope the betrayed and broken,

it may ease the burdened Earth.

Listen for it….

Listen for its neighborly dialects and global idiom.

Imagine those who, like you, are saying it aloud,

and those who need to hear it, today….

One word, one deed of justice, one kind effort at a time.

So Gracious God, we ask You to give us the courage to say and be mercy today.—AMEN.

According to Václav Havel:

Hope is an orientation of the heart.

It transcends the world that is immediately experienced, 

and is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons….

O God in whom we hope, we ask Your continued blessings on our efforts to transform the lives of those who look to us for leadership, justice, and ongoing solutions to the challenges of our times.

Give us the strength to accomplish the seemingly impossible with limited time, energy, and resources.

Help us to be especially sensitive to the needs of those on the margins, those who are vulnerable, those who are close to despair.

May all we do today engender hope in our communities, for as Harvey Milk once said: “the important thing is not that we can live on hope alone, but that without it, life is not worth living.”

And so, we continue to hope in Your providence. And in our ability to bring hope to many.—AMEN.

O God, make us Your salt for the Earth—

that, in our own humble, hidden acts

of generosity and peace

we may reveal Your love in the midst of us all.

Make us Your light for the world—

that we may reflect Your compassion and forgiveness,

the light and warmth of Your love

in the midst of a cold winter.

Make us Your city on a hill—

the vision of Your dream of a world

united in Your justice and mercy.

We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.

God of affection, devotion, and tenderness, we thank You for the myriad ways that we have been touched by Your love:

Love that draws us to friendship and fidelity;

Love that leads us to kindness and compassion;

Love that lures us to the sacred and serene;

Love that calls us to new vision and evolution;

Love that sees the value of each human being.

Source of all love, we thank You for abiding in our hearts, You—the One Great Heart of our Universe, holding us all in the mystery of Your presence.—AMEN.

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves,

when our dreams have become true because we have dreamed too little,

when we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess

we have lost our thirst for the waters of life,

and have fallen [too much] in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity….

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show Your mastery; Where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back the horizons of our hopes,

and to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.—AMEN.

_{(Attributed to Sir Francis Drake)}

For the expanding grandeur of Creation, we give thanks this day.

For this fragile planet, Earth, we give thanks this day.

For the joy of human life, its wonders and surprises, we give thanks.

For our human community, our oneness transcending all separation, we give thanks.

And we pray for faith without fanaticism, for understanding of views not shared.

We pray for all who labor and suffer for a fairer world.

We pray that we may live, not by our fears, but by our hopes, not by our words but by our deeds.—AMEN.

_{(Reverend O. Eugene Pickett)} 

For the expanding grandeur of Creation, we give thanks this day.

For this fragile planet, Earth, we give thanks this day.

For the joy of human life, its wonders and surprises, we give thanks.

For our human community, our oneness transcending all separation, we give thanks.

And we pray for faith without fanaticism, for understanding of views not shared.

We pray for all who labor and suffer for a fairer world.

We pray that we may live, not by our fears, but by our hopes, not by our words but by our deeds.—AMEN.

_{(Reverend O. Eugene Pickett)} 

Heavenly Father, Staff, Senators, and Californians, we call all to come before You today with a sincere desire to serve the people and work of our great state.

Grant us wisdom, patience, clarity, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and yes, self-control, as we all work with one another to positively make decisions that impact the lives and livelihood of those we represent. 

Bless this chamber, this place where we hear workers outside laboring, even now, to restore and renovate this beautiful building where we work and where many people see as a representation of who we are and what we should do on Your behalf. Remember it is an honor and a privilege, please keep that in our hearts, that we will always remember it’s an honor and a privilege to walk and to work in these hallowed halls. 

Strengthen us, lead us, guide us to serve California and all Californians. 

In Your name, we pray.—AMEN.

Gracious and merciful God, as Muslims prepare to observe Ramadan, we pray in gratitude for their dedication to the Five Pillars of Islam: profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage.

May each one of us, from our own perspective, imitate their perseverance and dedication by acting on our deepest beliefs.

May the fruits of our sincere prayer result in just and generous laws that raise up the downtrodden and the needy.

May our empathy for the sufferings of the poor remind us that we can live simply so that others may simply live.

And when we travel abroad, may we approach each place with the reverence of a pilgrim, knowing that we are on holy ground, treating each other as brothers and sisters of one Creator. We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.

As the Christian world moves into 40 days of Lent, let us listen to God’s word from the Hebrew Scriptures, Isaiah 58:

This is the fast that pleases me:

To break unjust fetters,

To let the oppressed go free,

To share your bread with the hungry

And shelter the homeless poor.

If you do away with the yoke,

The clenched fist, the wicked word,

If you give your bread to the hungry

And relief to the oppressed,

Your light will rise in the darkness.

_{(Isaiah 58: 6–7, 10)}

God, our creator, we trust in Your presence as we continue each day to bring greater justice and peace to those we serve. May all our efforts, conversations, debates, and collaborations result in a populace that is welcome to contribute their gifts and talents for the good of the whole, now and into the future. We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.

So we begin today with a little poem called “Lessons” by Rod McKuen:

In imitating Christ

we mustn’t once forget

he seldom went alone.

His friends were those

who needed friends themselves.

A teacher, he was often taught

and not just by his father

but by the flock he shepherded

from torment into love.

He was the wisest of his wise men.

That didn’t come by chance—

It came from caring.

So Gracious God, we thank You today for the caring that You have placed in our hearts for our brothers and sisters. Thank You for our families and friends who give us the space to do Your work, and who support us in our joyful and difficult days. And help us to be grateful for the voices that challenge us—challenge us to go deeper into the reasons for and the consequences of our decisions. May we continue to incarnate Your vision in our world.—AMEN.

Today we pray in gratitude for the California women of the year. The women of today are the thoughts of their mothers and grandmothers,

embodied, and made alive.

They are active, capable, determined….

They have one thousand generations back of them....

Millions of women, dead and gone, are speaking through us today.

And these are the words of Matilda Joslyn Gage from the 1800s.

So loving God, our Father, our Mother, we give thanks for the women of today this day as in this chamber, we honor diverse women for their lives of passionate and dedicated service for the flourishing of their communities. By their determination, patience, and inclusive creativity, and they have modeled how to live lives of integrity and devotion. May all of us be in solidarity with them and with those who continue to live with courage, compassion, and truth as we live out the desires and longings of our mothers, grandmothers, and all our ancestors, those  who struggled for dignity and equality throughout the ages. We ask this in Your name.—AMEN.

Let us consider the blessings of our humanness as we ponder Rumi’s poem, “The Guest House.”

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows

who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

[They] may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The [negative] thought, the shame, the malice—

meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes

because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

Loving God, help us to be alert for those unexpected visitors of negativity. May their appearance not cause us to lose our composure and our gracious desire to bring peace and love to our world.—AMEN.

This blessing by the Irish poet, John O’Donohue, is called “For One Who Holds Power”:

May the gift of leadership…keep you mindful of the Providence that calls you to serve.

As high over the mountains the eagle spreads its wings, may your perspective be larger than the view from the foothills.

In times of grey endurance, may your imagination continue to evoke new horizons.

When thirst burns in times of drought, may you be blessed to find new wells.

May you have the wisdom to know when the seeds of change will flourish.

May you welcome your own vulnerability as the ground where healing and truth join.

And may integrity of soul be the source that guides and blesses your work [and your play] each day. Saint Patrick, pray for us.—AMEN.

_{(To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue)}

Gracious and merciful God, on this Saturday, World Water Day, we will recall that Your Spirit moved over the waters of creation. Our bodies are at least 60% water, and we depend on water for life. We pray for humility to see all the ways we take this precious resource for granted. Help us confront those who use water to create strife and conflict. Have mercy on those who are sick or in need because they cannot access safe water.

We are thankful for Your gift of water seen in the beauty of waterfalls, placid lakes, rivers, and oceans full of amazing creatures. This year we are especially mindful of the water reserved in glaciers on which 2 billion people rely for drinking, agriculture, and energy production. Give us guidance on how to be better stewards of this finite resource. We ask all of this in Your name.—AMEN.

_{(Catholic Health Association)}

Loving God of Mystery, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said we are all called to be pioneers—

Pioneers who stand on the edge of great beginnings, of unseen futures—

Pioneers filled with unwarranted confidence that visions give—

Pioneers whose eyes and ears are elsewhere, who hear an echo of possibilities as music poised to enter the universe.

The movement forward, he says, will not happen by itself.

The steps that must be taken can be summarized in five words: A great hope in common.

The future is in our hands.

Loving God, Holy Mystery, we thank You for the energy within us that drives us toward creativity and wholeness. In the spirit of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, may our hearts be ever more hopeful as we work to create that beloved community where all can enjoy the thrill of forging life and love on our precious Earth. 

We ask all in Your name.—AMEN.

_{(Adapted from We Side with the Morning by William Cleary)}

As we celebrate the life and legacy of César Chávez, we pray his prayer for all workers who struggle for justice.

God of all peoples and nations, show us the suffering of the most miserable;

So we will know our people’s plight.

Free us to pray for others;

For You are present in every person.

Help us to take responsibility for our own lives;

So that we can be free.

Grant us courage to serve others;

For in service there is true life.

Give us honesty and patience;

So that we can work with other workers.

Bring forth song and celebration;

So that Your Spirit will be alive among us.

Let Your Spirit flourish and grow;

So we will never tire of the struggle.

Let us remember those who have died for justice;

For they have given us life.

And help us love even those who hate us;

So that we can change the world.—AMEN.

“There is no greater folly in the world than for a person to despair.”

_{(Miguel de Cervantes)}

Gracious God, who tolerates fools gladly: On this April Fool’s Day, we trust that it is Your wisdom that has gathered us in this place. We come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your guidance through our moments of foolishness. Grant us discernment to recognize the difference between lighthearted fun and actions that may cause others to despair. 

As we seek to embrace our vulnerability, may we learn from our mistakes, and grow in empathy and understanding of the needs of others. May Your wisdom illuminate our paths, leading us to make choices that reflect Your love and grace. Let our words and deeds bring joy and kindness to all, inspiring each one to greater trust in the goodness of all that is. We ask this in Your name and Happy Assyrian New Year. —AMEN.

57 years ago today, Reverend Dr. King gave his mountain top speech the day before his assassination. Let us pray that we continue to practice the nonviolence that he lived and died for. 

Spirit of God, we long to heal the fractures in the world around us and within our own hearts. We long to recognize the innermost sacred dimensions of ourselves and all other beings.

Merciful God, put us in touch with our deepest yearning for a world pulsating with justice and truth, where all sit down at the Great Banquet and eat until they are full.

Help us to discover anew the courage to see and to listen, to take steps to stop the cycles of violence in our neighborhoods, in our country, and in our whole world.—AMEN.

I search for You, O God, always elusive and hidden.

I long to dwell in the heart of Mystery.

I search for my true self, more of who I already am,

Knowing there’s so much yet to be discovered.

I search for vision in the shadows of my soul,

Impatiently waiting the moment of light.

I search for a quiet heart amid life’s harried schedule;

My soul cries out, yearning for solitude.

I search for Home, always for Home,

Forgetting, of course, that I am already there.

_{(“Seeking and Finding” in May I Have This Dance? by Joyce Rupp)}

Father, Mother, God, we pray with Maya Angelou: Thank You for Your presence during the hard and mean days; for then we have You to lean upon.

Thank You for Your presence during the bright and sunny days; for then we can share that which we have with those who have less.

And thank You for Your presence during the Holy Days; for then we are able to celebrate You, our families, and our friends.

For those who have no voice, we ask You to speak.

For those who feel unworthy, we ask You to pour out Your love in waterfalls of tenderness.

For those who live in pain, we ask You to bathe them in the river of Your healing.

For those who are lonely, we ask You to keep them company.

For those who are depressed, we ask You to shower upon them the light of hope.

Dear Creator, You, the borderless sea of substance: We ask You to give to all the world that which we need most—peace.—AMEN.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Father, we are grateful for the grace of life that You have granted us today, so we can work towards establishing peace and spreading love among people.

Dear Lord, we ask You to extend Your bountiful right hand on the United States of America and bless its leaders and its people. We also ask You to bless the leadership of the beautiful State of California and its dwellers so we can live and progress together into success and prosperity.

On this blessed day, as we commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide we implore You to hear our prayers from the California State Capitol and deliver the Armenian nation from all evil and tribulations.—AMEN.

In this month of caring for our Earth, the Cambodian poet, Suttantaprija Ind, reminds us of our fragility on this Earth:

How transient the lives of all creatures!

Once bodies break apart and minds collapse,

no one would dare go near [them].

Let us all dwell on life’s impermanence.

_{(From Journey to Angkor Wat by Suttantaprījā Ind, translated by Trent Walker)}

And let us also pray from Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’

Mysterious God, You are present in the whole universe

and in the smallest of Your creatures.

You embrace with Your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out on us the power of Your love,

that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live

as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Teach us to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united

with every person and every creature

as we journey toward Your infinite love, justice, and peace.—AMEN.