Leiva/Silverlight, Oscar for CRS

A Prayer for the Other

Loving God, 
turn my eyes to the other, 
that I may see each as you see me— 
with an innate dignity that transcends 
appearances, circumstances, class 
and all earthly status, 
which are temporary. 
Help me to see the other 
as your beloved child, eternally. 

Turn my ears to the other, 
that I may hear their cries 
as you hear mine— 
with compassion and tenderness 
that draw me closer in the midst of suffering. 
Help me to hear the other 
as your beloved child, eternally. 

Turn my mind to the other, 
that I may come to understand them 
as you understand me— 
struggling to find meaning and wholeness 
in a world that is fragmented, 
and your light in a world that’s dimmed. 
Help me to understand the other  
as your beloved child, eternally. 

Turn my feet to the other, 
that I may approach them across
the gaps that divide us—
gaps too often widened by illusions of
family, tribe, creed, race— even
otherness itself. 
Help me approach the other
as your beloved child, eternally. 

Turn my hands to the other, 
that I may serve them as you serve me— 
with a touch that cleanses, that heals, 
that feeds and that reassures. 
Help me to serve the other 
as your beloved child, eternally. 

Turn my heart to the other, 
that I may love them as you love me— 
steadfast, forgiving, ever-merciful, with 
patience, seeing my joy in theirs. 
Help me to love the other 
as your beloved child, eternally. 

Loving God,
turn my life to the other, 
that I may live in solidarity with them, 
and thus with you,
forever.

Amen