Gracious God, we come to you seeking a holy stillness in our self-made busyness. We come to you for energy in our weariness. We come to you for challenge when we are willing to settle for our own small plans and dreams. We long for the peace of your presence, especially in times in which you seem distant. As Joseph discovered, even in the dark times your presence is ever with us.
Holy Father, Father of Christ who, like Joseph, held his Father’s favor and his brother’s disdain, let us be one in the body of Christ so that we may grow in holiness together. Let us meet hunger with nourishment. Let us meet poverty with solidarity and charity. Let us meet anger with abundant peace. Let us meet hate with a holy love. Father, you have given us the power to transform the world, help us to transform it for the good.
Compassionate God, we come to you in joy and thanksgiving for the youth, their parents, and the servants who are starting a new semester of Christian fellowship, discipleship, and service. We also come to you with a hopeful sadness as we remember our loved ones who are now resting in you. Grant to us, Lord, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.