Respect and concern for others

Grant me,

O Lord,

An understanding heart,

That I may see into the hearts of your people,

And know their strengths and weaknesses,

Their hopes and their despairs,

Their efforts and failures,

Their need of love and their need to love.

Through my touch with them,

Grant comfort and hope,

And the assurance that new life begins

At any age and on any day,

Redeeming the past,

Sanctifying the present,

And brightening the future

With the assurance of your unfailing love,

Brought to me in Jesus Christ,

Your Son my Lord.

Amen.

George Appleton