January 13: Request for Renewal in Friendships

            We recognize that we often take our friendships for granted. While it is good to feel secure in our relationships, we pray that we still remember to treat our friends with compassion and generosity. May God renew our friendships with greater closeness and trust. May we discover the motivation and methods to express our gratitude to our friends for all they have done for us. We thank God for the friends we have and ask for help in remembering to care for them during our busy lives.

Photo by author

November 27: Peace Among Old Friends

            As we meet with many old friends, we ask God to bless our reunions. We give thanks for the memories we share with these friends and for their new directions and relationships. May God help us accept the changes that occur as we grow up and negotiate the differences that may come between us. We rejoice in all the accomplishments our friends have made and celebrate our own achievements with them. We ask God to assist us in leaving behind jealousy and insecurity, as well as any old grudges we may hold. May God bless our meetings and promise us many more in the future.

Photo by author

September 14: Discovery of New Friendships

            The beginning of a new semester is filled with excitement and anxiety over the potential of new friendships. May God guide us towards those who will love and support us. May we learn compassion and generosity from Jesus’ example and practice this towards our friends, new and old. We ask God to grant us friendships that not only ease the weight of our struggles, but that challenge us to lead better lives. Ultimately, we place our trust in God to ensure the discovery of new friends in our dorms, our classrooms, our workplaces, and our communities.

Photo by Ellen Kneeskern '18