Eternal creator,
transforming mystery,
spirit of wisdom,
we speak our praise and gratitude
for your release of life
within us and in our universe.
Your spirit uncovers truths that
we have kept hidden
and supports us in tasks we fear to undertake
alone.
We praise you for
invitations to growth, intimacy,
and depth of life,
for companionship and comfort
extended to us in our journey to be faithful
to our callings and to you.
Receive our thanksgiving,
gentle one,
for you have touched our soul.
You have loved us from the moment of our first waking
and known us in joy and in grief.
Help us claim our strength and need,
our awesomeness and fragile beauty,
that encouraged by your truth
we might work to restore compassion in the human family
and renew the face of the earth.
Spirit of the living Christ,
invade the depth of our being
with your spirit of forgiveness and healing,
that we may be daring in our gospel deeds
and may pursue your dreams of
justice.
July 20, 1997