Prayer 434

Almighty God, we turn to you as the Earth turns toward the sun, bringing light and life to all. Let us be light to all the dark places of the world, like mirrors reflecting your wisdom and truth. Let us not be deceived by appearances, but see with the eyes of the heart what is true, good, and right. 

Help us to know and repent of our faults and hardheadedness, and forgive those who have wronged us as we would hope for forgiveness. May those whose eyes are closed in prayer open them to see anew the radiance of your hope, Lord Jesus, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 433 (On the 23rd Psalm)

Icon- Jesus as the Good Shepherd

(Based on Psalm 23)

God is our shepherd and provider,
You claim us as your own.

God leads us into pastures that supply all our needs;
You give us rest and security.

God refreshes and revives our souls anew;
leading us into truth, 
trusting us to follow and glorify God's Name.

You shield us by your strength and vigilance;
when trials approach us, 
we have no fear, 
for You hold us in your hand 
even when the darkness of death looms.

You provide a rich banquet for us even as enemies look on;
You have consecrated us and blessed us abundantly.
Your steadfast promise of love enfolds us,
and goodness and mercy are our sure companions 
as You lead us through our lives.

We rest securely in your arms,
and our home is with You forever.

O Shepherd, hear the call of your people and gather them close, especially those we now name.

Amen.

God is our help- Prayer for Day 432

Almighty God, we thank you for your ever-present help in times of trouble, and for uplifting us in times of joy. May we be guided by the Light of your Wisdom and Love to seek the more excellent way of life in You. Help us to forgive those who have wronged us and acknowledge our own great faults and errors. Help us to dedicate ourselves anew to a right relationship with each other. We thank You for the blessings of children and friends. Tend to the sick, the weary, and the downhearted, for your Love's sake, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 431

Almighty God, we kneel before You as the wings of dawn brush open our eyes to know the beauty of your creation. Our hearts are firmly fixed upon your kindness, and filled with your mercy which flows over us like a south wind. We rejoice in our salvation, Lord Christ, for you have called us back from the precipice of death and self-destruction. Draw us deeper into communion with You, O Source of Life and Light, that your will and your way may be our delight. Guard our loved ones this day, O God, and uplift them by the power of your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Prayer 430

Lord Jesus, with sighs of gratitude we are drawn within your saving embrace: with joy may we bear your love into the world. 

May we make your Church not just a place of refuge but a haven of justice, empowerment, and peace. 

Let us be known by our open-heartedness and compassion in place of pride and hunger for power. Let us be known by our love and faithfulness in the midst of selfishness and adversity. Let us be known by our service to those poor in body or in spirit, that we all know the abundance of Your mercy. 

May we remember your tender watchfulness over us, and lay before You the prayers of our hearts.

Amen.

Prayer for Holiness (Day 429)

Bend near, O God, to those who seek you. Quiet our hearts so that we may know your Spirit and your Truth. Give us the faith to let go and allow You to guide and direct us today. Make us agents of peace and justice for those who suffer oppression or prejudice. Protect those who struggle to recover from disaster. Strengthen us to act for the common good for the creation of a just society. Give comfort to the weary and the worried. We place before your our concerns and thanksgivings for these, your beloveds.

Amen.

Prayer 428

Loving God, shine your lovingkindness upon us in the morning; let us walk in blessing and peace through the hours of the day. Let us still our minds to hear your invitation to us to truth and love; send your holy angels to call us to life and good news. Make us radiant in answering your call: fill our hearts with joy in serving You. Make us a blessing this day to all we meet, and let us work together in amity to seek the common good. Safeguard the hopes of all who long to hear your voice, and hear the entreaties of those who call upon You.

Amen.

Prayer 427

O Lord God, it is a new day: let us draw near to You in spirit and in truth. Give us the courage to be healed of the fears that plague us; let them be driven away by the trust we have in You. Stretch out your hand and heal us, Lord Christ, of our hardness of heart and our stubborn pride, that we may serve You with joy. Awaken us to the promise of life in You, and set our feet upon the path of love and truth. Look with favor upon those whose needs we bring before You, and send your Spirit to tend their needs, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 426

Almighty One, we gather before your altar to worship You: your song is on our lips night and day. Let us open ourselves to the guidance of your Holy Spirit: may we be a creative force for blessing in your creation. Let us take delight in each other, and see the light of Christ that shines from each countenance we encounter today. Let us trust in the power of truth, sing with singleness of heart, and raise up our praise to your Almighty Love. In all we do, let us be what we believe. Let us pray for the needs of others and for ourselves, for the vulnerable, the sorrowing, and those enduring through trial

Prayer 425

O God, You called us to rest from all our labors as You rested after creation: let us take this moment to rest in You. 

Bear us up as boats are lifted by the tide, and carry us in the current of your Love. Breathe upon us, Breath of Heaven, and lift us up as a cloud of witnesses to your goodness and mercy. Fill us with your inspiration, O Holy One: to love and take joy in each other, and to seek to be a blessing to all we meet. 

We praise You for our manifold blessings, and we ask your help for those in need of comfort.

Amen.

Prayer 424

O God, You are our strength and our redeemer: may we go forth into this day under the banner of peace. May we be grateful for your watching over us, and seek to serve You night and day. May your love be a song upon our lips, that our words be a beacon to those who feel alone. May we do your will with joy in our hearts, and center ourselves within the Body of Christ. May we be strong in faith, and faithful in loving You and each other. Loving One, send your angels to lend your aid to all who call upon You.

Amen.

Prayer 423

Almighty God, we thank you for your ever-present help in times of trouble, and for uplifting us in times of joy. May we be guided by the Light of your Wisdom and Love to seek the more excellent way of life in You. Help us to forgive those who have wronged us and acknowledge our own great faults and errors. Help us to dedicate ourselves anew to a right relationship with each other. We thank You for the blessings of children and friends. Tend to the sick, the weary, and the downhearted, for your Love's sake, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 422

O God, You are our sun when storm clouds gather; You are a cool, verdant pathway when we fear we've lost our way. You, My God, are the hope that springs forth when the lighthouse beacon steers us from the shoals. You, Loving One, are the eagle who both soars and shelters her young under her wings. You, Holy One, are our true North and, at the end of our days, our rest. Protect us, guide us, inspire us, and nurture us as we journey through this life. We pray especially for these whose names we raise before you.

Amen.

Prayer 421

O God, we ask that you lead and guide us throughout this day. Whatever we do, let us do it in gentleness, filled with the inspiration of your Holy Spirit. Teach us a song of joy and peace, welcoming the dawn of salvation that breaks upon us. Let us take the hand of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, and walk in the way of life and truth. Let us take the needs of others into our hearts, loving our neighbors as ourselves. Holy One, we ask your blessing upon these loved ones, and raise them up to You in prayer.

Amen. 

Prayer 420

O Loving God, we bow before You in humble thanks for all your gifts. Give us the courage to serve those who persecute us, just as Patrick served those who had held him in bondage. Give us grace to respond to your call wherever it may take us, and in our daily life bring honor to You. Make us one in body, mind, and spirit, to proclaim your love with steadfast hearts. Watch over those who are ill or weary, giving them strength to persevere, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 419

At San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo Mission, Carmel-by-the-Sea.

O God, you are our refuge and our home. In you we live and move and have our being. We thank you for welcoming us home, even when we have lost our way or turned our backs on what is right. You have placed the warm hearth of truth and love before us to warm us and give us light. You are our shelter in the cold winds of trial and our shade from the desert sun of hatred and anger. 

Let us bow our knee in worship and lift up our hearts in praise. Let us seek to draw others into your embrace, O Merciful One, for You are the source of light and life. Hear our prayers and strengthen all those who call upon You.

Amen.

Prayer 418

Almighty God, we thank You for our rest through the night and for sending your angels to watch over us as we slept. We thank You for your guidance through the labors of the week, for strengthening us and bearing us up for trials and triumphs we encountered. 

Make us a people of love, truth, and compassion. Pour out your mercy like cool waters on the heads of those who are in anxiety or crisis. Extend your blessing like a sheltering bough over all those who work for the good of others or care for those who are ill. 

Give comfort to those who call upon you, and lift up the hearts of those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 417

Loving One, You watch over us without sleeping, and we are blessed indeed. 

Envelop your creation in peace and help us to turn away from sin and folly. Make us wise in your ways and joyful in your call to us. Let us work to build your kingdom, and let that work fill our hearts with joy. Watch over our children; we pray that they cling to You and your Holy Word. 

Give respite to those who are sick or weary, that they may rest and be comforted in the embrace of your Holy Angels. Hear our intercessions in the name of Christ, as we keep them in our hearts today.

Amen.

Prayer 416

O God, we praise you for your gift of this day; we open our arms to embrace the hope of the dawn. 

O God, You are with us in winter and rejoice with us in spring; give us generous hearts warmed by your love. God calls to us in love and faithfulness through Christ, and calls us to return that love to all of God's creation. 

The Lord our Maker is our protector and guide; in peace and in turmoil we rely upon our God. When our burdens cast us down, it is God who provides refuge and promises of strength and endurance. 

Merciful One, shield the joyous and comfort the distressed, and rest your favor upon those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 415

Almighty God, we are blessed to serve You this day. 

Turn our hands to works of compassion and mercy, that all we do may bring blessing to your name. Let not our will but your be done, O Holy One, that your kingdom come here on earth, built on justice and truth. 

Give us companions to walk beside us this day, and strength for the journey that lies before us. Give us vision to see and then act, bringing healing and comfort to those in need or hope to those who are lost. 

Give your angels charge over those we now name, that they may be delivered from their distress and know your presence.

Amen.