Prayer 2789: A Prayer for Hardened Hearts

Almighty God,
generous Creator,
we breathe in the sweet peace you offer,
and lift our hearts to you in intercession.

We humbly confess our wrongs,
and seek your help in converting our hearts
from stone to flesh.

Help us to remember
the spirit of love and reconciliation to which you call us,
and walk in your light and community in hope,
never condemning others to darkness.
You call us to be instruments of hope and mutual care,
following in the footsteps of Jesus,
living by compassion and grace.

Let us never twist your words, beloved Savior,
to support our our hatreds and prejudices.
Let us remember the mercy and forgiveness you offer,
and count the graces you have given us
as reminders that our words and actions are our testimony.

Lift us up
by the rising wave of your Spirit, O Blessed One,
and remind us to choose the road of compassion
as we seek to spread your gospel,
and to uproot the weeds of division that spring up within us.

Holy One, we depend wholly upon You;
may we be led by your wisdom into love and gentleness
and bless the world by our devotion to your Truth.

Grant the sweets of your mercy, Beloved Jesus,
to all those in any need,
and gather within your embrace
all those for whom we pray.

Amen.