Food for Thought Prayer, 1/16/20
Welcoming the Familiar Stranger
Loving Creator, we come to you knowing that you are a God of love and compassion. We come as people of many creeds seeking your presence, comfort, and guidance. We come as care-givers, family members, friends, co-workers, advocates, and professionals. We come this day because we believe that you love each one of us just as we are and that you walk with us on our individual journeys through life.
Give us courage to face our challenges – and open us today to the many ways you are already working in our midst. Help us so that we might have courage and wisdom in facing the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Inspire us as we seek to overcome fear, acquire knowledge, and advocate for the compassionate care of those directly and indirectly affected. Enable us to find more ways to be inclusive of persons living with mental illnesses in our everyday lives and especially in our faith communities.
When we feel discouraged and hopeless in the face of so many challenges, help us to see ourselves as you see us, Divine Spirit… as persons of value and worth.
Finally, may we come to understand the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in bringing about health and wholeness. And when we leave this gathering today, may we go forward into our communities with a renewed sense of vision, hope and possibility for all that awaits us.
And now, Divine One, bless the food before us. In a world where so many are hungry, may we eat with humble hearts; and in a world where so many are lonely, may we joyfully share this fellowship.
[1]Adapted from prayer by Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder, National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding, https://enlightenmentalhealth.org/prayers/.