A Prayer for Thursday, September 17, 2015

Words

O God,

Develop our spirits so that we want
to contribute to the spreading
of peace, love, and understanding.

Let our words reflect such spirits.

Let our words be words of peace.

Let our words reflect a state of
ever-increasing wholeness and health
in our relationships with you,
with others, and with ourselves.

Let our words contribute to the growth
of such wholeness and health in individuals,
in our communities, and in our world.

Let our words be words of love.

Let our words reflect an ever-increasing
willingness to give ourselves away for
your sake and for the sake of others.

Let our words contribute to the
willingness of others to join in a commitment
to shared sacrifice for the good of all.

Let our words be words of understanding.

Let our words reflect an ever-increasing
awareness that cultures and people are different
and that the differences are fascinating.

Let our words contribute to the
effort to build bridges and to foster
dialogue between groups and individuals.

Help us to use our words

to build up and not to tear down,
to help and not to hurt, and
to discuss and not to shout.

Amen.