Saturday, March 26, 2011

Dearest God,

Guide us to take a moment to help someone. Teach us daily the way of compassion. Make us instruments of human care.

So often we get bogged down in the mind boggling misuse and abuse of others, O God. The papers, magazines, television and media shock us with accounts of bullying, mockery, murder and other heinous crimes. I wonder how a person can be capable of destroying another and yet it happens all the time. Sometimes sadly we get numb to the careless bit by bit destruction that we go on as if nothing had really happened.

Yet, at the same time I hear of persons who are choosing to make a difference, who are reaching out, giving, sacrificing, and putting themselves on the line to help another human being. I always weep when I see an unselfish act of one person toward another. Aren't we honestly made to care for one another? Wasn't that your plan from the beginning of time? Don't we have genes that urge us to step forward toward our neighbor in need?

I do believe you caress us when we are victims of hurt, disappointment, loss and injustice. I believe you desire to touch each one of us when we feel pain. I believe you work through open, willing humans who release compassion and mercy into the world. I believe our words, our hands, and our feet work together to ease human suffering. I believe we have a choice whether we will partner with you for good or not.

Help us,
Merciful God,
to be
willing agents
of faith
and love
in the world.
Show us
the ways
to help.
Awaken us
not only
to the need
but also
to our desire
to aid others
in their quest
for healing
and wholeness,
I pray.

Love, Andrea