Prayer Offered for January 5, 2017

As we welcome new members to this Senate in this New Year:

Let us, like Abraham, peel back the flap of our tent;

Let us lovingly sweep the sand from the entrance.

Let us remember a time,

Long ago, not long ago,

When we, too young or too old,

Were the strangers.

Let us see how we are blessed,

Sharing our ordinary abundance.

Let us hold the Other close,

In our arms or in our hearts,

Wordlessly or with words,

Recognizing we serve the One.

Let us recognize that love is stronger

Than fear, than difference, than death.

This year, let us do what it takes

To be fully human.—AMEN.

^{(Adapted from Jennifer (Jinks) Hoffman, Spiritual Directors International)}