Jesus, Lord, we wonder
at the miracle of creation,
at God’s children, balancing joy
on their fingertips.
Hold us as we hear their stories,
from another place, another voice –
those distant sounds that grow louder
in our heart as we listen, closely.
Lead us out to meet you, Lord,
in the beauty of your people,
in the power of their stories,
in their lives,
as they touch and change ours.
May your generous Spirit transform us,
in the richness of our listening,
in the brightness of the moment,
in the sharing,
in the loving,
in the wonder.
Amen.
A prayer for our earth
All powerful God,
you are present in the universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with your peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle,
for justice, love and peace.