prayers

I just got a couple of new prayers at bible study today and thought they were worth sharing:

A Modern Prayer--with Gratitude to St. Francis
Jene Miller

O Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,

that where there is complacency,
I may disturb

that where there is disturbance,
I may discipline

that where there is indifference,
I may speak judgement

that where there is guilt,
I may speak acceptance

that where there is dehumanization,
I may demand justice

that where there is compromise,
I may demand righteousness

lest men should settle for the peace the world gives

grant, O Divine Savior

that I shall not seek to be popular,
but to be faithful

that I shall not call Thee acceptable to men,
but call men to be acceptable to Thee

that I shall not judge the worth of men by things,
but judge the worth of things by human need

that I shall not be impressed by human titles
but respect quality of character

that I shall not seek the holiness of beauty
but seek the beauty of holiness

that I shall not call only my friends "brother"
but shall call my enemies "brother"

for Thy kingdom, alone, is eternal Amen


For Courage to Do Justice
Alan Paton, South Africa

O Lord,
open my eyes that I may see the needs of others
open my ears that I may hear their cries
open my heart so that they need not be without succor
let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong
nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich
show me where love and hope and faith are needed,
and use me to bring them to those places
and so open my eyes and my ears
that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee

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