Prayer Offered for August 23, 2014

Gracious and loving God, St. Augustine once said:  “Our hearts were made for You, Oh God, and shall not rest until they rest in You.”

We ask You to:

Open our hearts to receive Your abundant gifts.

Open our hearts to welcome as our beloved friends all our brothers and sisters.

Open our hearts to feel the pain of Your suffering people.

Open our hearts that we may speak for those who have no voice.

Open our hearts to forgive those who have caused us injury.

And open our hearts that we may experience Your embrace, and be witnesses of Your plan for a world of love and compassion.—AMEN.

^{(Adapted from Morning and Evening Prayer of the Sisters of Mercy.)}