BY: LYNDA PALAZZOLO, MISSION RESOURCE ASSISTANT
CALL TO PRAYER
LEADER: We gather together today aware that we are always in God's presence. The story of the Good Samaritan has a special place in the hearts of health care providers. Jesus told the story to answer the question: "Who is my neighbor?"' In it, a victim of robbers was left for dead by the side of the road. Other travelers passed him by as if he had no value as a human being.
READING
Luke 10:33-37
The New American Bible, Revised Edition
"But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Pause for reflection
LEADER: We pray for persons who have difficulty in maintaining good health and for those who struggle to find access to health care when they are ill or injured.
ALL: We care for you and we pray for you, our neighbors.
LEADER: We pray for persons who are employed but have no health insurance and for persons whose incomes disqualify them from public health programs.
ALL: We care for you and we pray for you, our neighbors.
LEADER: We pray for persons for whom health care takes an ever-increasing portion of their budgets.
ALL: We care for you and we pray for you, our neighbors.
LEADER: We pray for persons for whom a healthy lifestyle is challenging; who live in the inner city where fresh fruits and vegetables are not readily available in markets; who live in rural communities where there are no doctors; whose gender or skin color disproportionately impacts the diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition.
ALL: We care for you and we pray for you, our neighbors.
LEADER: We pray for care for all those who cannot help themselves, and we pray for the poor and the vulnerable that they may flourish and realize meaningful, joyful lives.
ALL: We care for you and we pray for you, our neighbors.
MUSIC
Suggested: "We Are Many Parts," by Marty Haugen
LEADER: Let us pray together.
ALL: God, our Father, we are called to be your people — just, loving and peace filled. Where justice prevails, all people are treated with dignity. Help us to answer your call to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and to put into action our duty to attend to the sick and the poor. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.
"Prayer Service," a regular department in Health Progress, may be copied without prior permission.