Another Prayer for My Enemies

God, there are people who don't like us. There are people down here who don't mind to see us hurt in order to get what they want. It's so hard to pray for them, God. Then again, Jesus just said to do it. He didn't say it would be easy. We all feel like our lives are missing something, God. If there's one thing we have in common, we all ache. Those who hurt us must ache, too. I wonder... Fill their lives, God. Give them what they need. They have hidden pain. Heal them. Forgive them. Then come talk with us and explain how this all works. Amen.

-adapted from The Book of Uncommon Prayer by Steven Case

Prayer for Guidance

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude"

Pottery

Be merciful, God. The fire burns. I am just clay. I will crack and fall apart in your hands. I feel hopeless and hungry. I am frightened of the fire and the water. But you are the potter, and I am the clay. Shape me. Remake me. Mold me in a thousand ways, God. I am your servant. I will be a jar full of glorious treasures. Amen.

-from The Book of Uncommon Prayer by Steven Case