A Chaplain's Prayers

07/16/2026

God,
We take this moment to sharpen our focus for this day.

Show us
how to make each task an offering of faith,
how to view interruptions as doors to service,
how to see each person as a teacher of things eternal.

May we, like you, always work unhurried.

~ David L. Bone, Chaplain
~ TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center
~ Nashville, TN

07/15/2026

God, how majestic is your name throughout the earth!

When I look up at your skies, at what your fingers made—
the moon and the stars that you set firmly in place—
what are human beings that you think about them;
what are human beings that you pay attention to them?

You’ve made humans only slightly less than divine,
crowning them with glory and grandeur.

God, how majestic is your name throughout the earth!

~ Psalm 8:1a, 3-5, 9

Send a message to learn more

07/14/2026

God of beginnings and endings,

We thank you for this new day,
with its promise and potential.

Help us to see the flower in every bulb,
the plant in every seed.

We also thank you for endings.

Though some are painful, other endings are necessary
to bring about new beginnings as the cycle of blessings continues.

Thank you for beginnings and endings.

~ David L. Bone, Chaplain
~ TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center
~ Nashville, TN

07/10/2026

With the boat of loving-kindness
we cross over the ocean of suffering.

With the light of wisdom
we leave behind the forest of confusion.

May we never attempt to leave the suffering of the world,
always being present whenever other beings need our help.

May the Lord of Compassion embrace us all.

~ Prayer in the Buddhist tradition

Send a message to learn more

07/09/2026

Creator of all seasons,

Summer days for some mean vacations and hours of ease.

And at the same time,
others experience days of toil and challenge
in which heat acts like a malevolent character
in a movie that we want to end.

But in these days of challenge, hope abounds.

Be with us today like a cool drink of water by a calming stream,
a stream where all creation finds life, healing, and love.

~ David L. Bone, Chaplain
~ TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center
~ Nashville, TN

Send a message to learn more

07/08/2026

O Great Elder, I have no words to thank you.

But with your deep wisdom,
I am sure that you can see
how I value all your glorious gifts.

When I look upon your greatness,
I am confounded with awe.

O Great Elder, Ruler of all things earthly and heavenly,
I am your champion,
ready to do your will.

~ Kikuyu Prayer from Kenya (adapted)
~ “An African Prayer Book,” p.14

Send a message to learn more

07/07/2026

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘Thank You’, that will be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart (13th century Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher and mystic)

God,

We pause in this place of healing to offer a simple prayer of gratitude.

For breath that sustains us,
For hands that care for us,
For love that surrounds us in ways seen and unseen—
thank you.

In moments of uncertainty,
let gratitude steady us.
In moments of pain,
let gratitude open a path toward hope.
In moments of waiting,
let gratitude remind us we are not alone.

And if the only prayer we can speak today is “thank you,”
may it be enough.

~ David L. Bone, Chaplain
~ TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center
~ Nashville, TN

Send a message to learn more

07/06/2026

God, source of all freedom,

After the cookouts and after the fireworks,
keep us inspired with the memory
of those who declared that life and liberty
are your gift to every human.

Make our vision clear and our will strong
to ensure the freedom of all.

Help us realize that only in human solidarity
will we find true liberty,
and justice only in the honor
that belongs to every life on Earth.

~ Sister Michelle Gorman, RSM (adapted)
~ Chaplain, California State Senate

Send a message to learn more

07/02/2026

Holy One,

Thank you for constantly caring for us.

There are no holidays or breaks from your care.
You are always holding all creation in your love.

As we prepare for a holiday weekend,
remind us that, like you,
our care should never cease:
our care for others,
our care for those we hold dear,
our care for creation.

Be with us this day and every day to come. Amen.

~ David L. Bone
~ Chaplain, Southern Hills Medical Center
~ Nashville, TN

07/01/2026

God of comfort and mercy,
on this first day of a new month,
steady us with simple hope.

Bless those facing the heat—
those who work exposed to the elements,
those who live outside,
those with little access to cooling.
Hold them in relief, safety, and care.

Give us light hearts,
small joys,
and fresh strength for the day.

Gather us across every nation and tribe
into kindness wide enough for all.

~ David L. Bone
~ Chaplain, Southern Hills Medical Center
~ Nashville, TN