Daily Devotion - Friday, October 30

Supportive Presence
A Final Reflection as Pastoral Care Week Ends

Pastoral Care week ends today
but the work of pastoral care never ends.
Allow me to close this week with a formal prayer
focusing on the theme of healing.

God of all creation, you have so fashioned the world that it possesses the potential to repair its imperfections.

And, O Eternal One, you have fashioned humankind by endowing us as your partners, with the creative ability to help in the repairing. You gave us the insight to transform the simple herb into a healing balm for the body.

Help us as your caregivers to realize our responsibility to transform the herb of human compassion into a healing balm for the aching soul.

We, like many, are in need. We know the inner yearning for fulfillment, for purpose, for meaning in our lives. May we come to know that as we help others to feel fulfilled, we will find our own fulfillment.

And then, may we have the strength, the will, the dedication, and the commitment to do that for which we were created: to serve you and bring your reign of peace into our midst. Amen.

--Ben Keckler
10.30.09