God of vision, we long to see your face and are afraid to see it; We long to break the grip of suffering, and we cannot cast it out. Uncover our faces and expose us to your glory, that we may comprehend the poor in their suffering and insight, and the world may be transfigured in you. [Janet Morley, Christian Aid]

God of power God of people, You are the Life of all that lives, Energy that fills the earth, Vitality that brings to birth, the impetus toward making whole whatever is bruised or broken. In You we grow to know the truth that sets all creation free. You are the Song the whole earth sings, the Promise liberation brings, now and forever. Miriam Therese Winter, Woman Prayer, Woman Song

Lord, you placed me in the world to be its salt. I was afraid of committing myself, afraid of being stained by the world. I did not want to hear what ‘they’ might say. and my salt dissolved as if in water. Forgive me, Jesus. Lord, you placed me in the world to be its light. I was afraid of the shadows, afraid of the poverty. I did not want to know other people. and my light slowly faded away. Forgive me, Jesus. Lord, you placed me in the world to live in community. Thus y

Holy God, on this your new day, in a country that is not our own, we give thanks for life and breath in a world that is yours. Grant us the courage and energy to breathe life into the hidden pockets of our compassion so that we may see with your generous, neighborly eyes what you give us today. Press us onward, God, so that we may listen with our hearts and speak with our hands as we come into contact with each life that crosses our path. We pray in your holy essence, which