What We Do
We vow to pray daily for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom, for God’s blessing on the work of our Order, for the spiritual growth of our parish. Let us pray for the many projects in the Church and community.
A Prayer for Our Country
2 Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven,”
Daughters, we are commanded by God to pray for the conversion of our leaders. Let's join together and recite this prayer for the people of this nation, so that as a country our collective hearts will turn back to God!
Let us Pray. God our Loving Father, Giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.
Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation's leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will and grant us the courage to reject and speak out against all that brings chaos, hurt and pain to all people whether native or foreign. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The familiar can be delicate for the innocent,
and too often suddenly lost and destroyed:
homes and roads and neighborhoods
or simply the sense of security which makes a place feel like it’s yours
like it’s a place to stay.
For so many reasons, people depart.
They seek refuge
from a thousand dangers and uncertainties
for themselves and their children
from places they can’t stay
onward to places often unknown.
Let us hold the refugee, the asylee, and the immigrant in prayer:
May God be with you.
May your grief and loss be assuaged.
May the hard road you travel include spaces of rest and security.
May you know your inherent worth and dignity every day of the journey.
Let us pray for the people who are met along the way:
May they remember how they were strangers too.
May they embrace the pathways of compassion.
May they recall the teachings of the prophets.
May they make room in their hearts and their homes.
And, let us pray for all:
May the news that migrating people discovered dead along the road, open our eyes to injustice.
May the image of the body of the baby and father by the banks of the water, soften our hearts.
May the plight of refugees stir our souls.
May we understand that around the world similar tragedies occur daily, usually beyond our awareness.
May we count our blessings and direct our generous support where there is need.
May we seek partnerships that confront unjust structures and hardened hearts.
May we recommit ourselves to global community beyond all borders.
In human solidarity, and with a firm commitment to the pathways of compassion, may we pray and act unceasingly. Amen.
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.
Reflection
In a culture of hectic schedules and the relentless pursuit of productivity, we are tempted to measure our worth by how busy we are, by how much we accomplish, or by how well we meet the expectations of others.
Many people identify with Martha. Feeling pulled in different directions, feeling worried and distracted by many things -- these seem to be common threads of life in our fast-paced world. And yet, as Jesus says in Luke 12:25, “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" We know that worrying does no good, and that much of what we worry about is not so important in the larger scheme of things, and yet we cannot seem to quell our anxious thoughts and frantic activity.
It is true that much of our busyness and distraction stems from the noblest of intentions. We want to provide for our families, we want to give our children every opportunity to enrich their lives, we want to serve our neighbors, and yes, we want to serve the Lord. Indeed, where would the church be without its “Marthas,” those faithful folks who perform the tasks of hospitality and service so vital to making the church a welcoming and well-functioning community?
And yet if all our activities leave us with no time to be still in the Lord’s presence and hear God’s word, we are likely to end up anxious and troubled. We are likely to end up with a kind of service that is devoid of love and joy and is resentful of others.
Both listening and doing, receiving God’s Word and serving others, are vital to the Christian life, just as inhaling and exhaling are to breathing. Yet how often do we forget to breathe in deeply? Trying to serve without being nourished by God’s word is like expecting good fruit to grow from a tree that has been uprooted.
Luke’s story is left suspended. We do not know what happened next -- whether Mary and Martha were reconciled, whether they were all able to enjoy the meal that Martha had prepared, whether Martha was finally able to sit and give her full attention to Jesus.
We do know that Jesus invites all of us who are worried and distracted by many things to sit and rest in his presence, to hear his words of grace and truth, to know that we are loved and valued as children of God, to be renewed in faith and strengthened for service. There is need of only one thing: attention to our guest. As it turns out, our guest is also our host, with abundant gifts to give.
The Prayer of the Order
O Eternal Father, you have sent us your Son to teach us things pertaining to your heavenly Kingdom. Give your blessing to our Order wherever it may be throughout the world. Grant that we, your Daughters, ever may discern your truth and bear the cross through the battles of our earthly life. Give us strength to overcome temptation and the grace to work to spread your Kingdom and to gather your scattered sheep within your fold. Pour out upon us the sevenfold gift of the Holy Spirit that we may always remember it is your work we are called to do, that all we think, do or say may be pleasing in your sight. We ask it all For His Sake, our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
For Faithfulness in Service
Collect: Come Holy Spirit!
We praise you O God, who on this day did sent your Holy Spirit upon the disciples at Pentecost giving birth to the church. You opened up the gates of eternal life to all people: slave and free, male and female, young and old, Jew and Gentile. Empower us to share your Gospel to peoples of all nations, tribes, and tongues. Grant that we may be anointed afresh by your Spirit, equipped for your ministry, led into all truth, and consecrated for service in your Kingdom, and all for your glory. Amen.
Intercessions for World Peace
For an end to the violence perpetrated by harsh words, deadly weapons, or cold indifference. May our homes, our nation, and countries around the world become havens of peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For the grace to see every human being as a child of God, regardless of race, language or culture, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For the wisdom to receive the stories and experiences of those different from ourselves and to respond with respect, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For the strength to teach our children how to resolve differences non-violently and respectfully, and the courage to model it in our own behavior, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For our faith community, that we may celebrate and welcome the diverse faces of Christ in our worship, our ministries, and our leaders, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For our faith community, that we may respond boldly to the Holy Spirit's call to act together to end violence and racism, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For healing and justice for all those who have experienced violence and racism, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For the protection of all police and first responders who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety; for fair and just policing that will promote peace and wellbeing in all our neighborhoods, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For our public officials, that they will strive to work for fair education, adequate housing, and equal opportunities for employment for all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For our parishes, that we may cultivate welcome, extend hospitality, and encourage the participation of people of all cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For the courage to have difficult conversations about racism, and for a better appreciation of how our words and actions – or even our silence – can impact our communities, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For solidarity in our global human family, that we may work together to protect those who are most vulnerable and most in need, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
For a Daughter Who Has Died
Dear Heavenly Father, we bless You for all those who have departed this life in Your faith and fear. Through their loving service to others and the Order and their way of prayerful living they endeavored to perfect Your will in their life. May their deep faith be an inspiration to all and so illumine the hearts of women and girls to find You along their earthly pilgrimage. Grant that the light of Your presence and Your eternal peace be their great and everlasting reward. Amen.
For Members Who are ILL
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers, mercifully accept our prayer and grant to all the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned to health and our sorrow to joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We Pray For Healing
Our Heavenly Father, by whose loving kindness and mercy our souls and bodies are renewed, look upon your children for whom we pray. Knowing you are interested in personal needs, we bring to your altar those who are perplexed or afraid, as we ask you to take away fear; those who face physical suffering, as we ask you to give them courage to endure; those who seem burdened with indecision, as we ask you to lift the pall of confusion. We also bring those who are lonely, for whom we ask companionship. We ask guidance and comfort for those to whom death has brought sorrow and despair. Amen.
We Pray For Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father, to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Holy Cross
Almighty God, whose beloved son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow Him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Motto of the Order
For His Sake...I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?
Prayer for Peace in Troubled Times
Dear Lord,
in these troubled times make your presence known to all the peoples around the world so that they may see peace as the only way to salvation. Replace the anger and violence in our hearts with joy and tranquility and help us to seek the good in everyone. Cause us all to realize that without you we can do nothing that will bring us peace and joy. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Amen.\
Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace - St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.
May our lives always reflect peace as we walk this journey with Jesus. Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
