Petitions of the People

contributed by Kay Goodnow

In thanksgiving for the gift of silence in which we hear Your voice,
Lord, hear our prayer…
In thanksgiving for the gift of laughter and the light of a smile,
Lord, hear our prayer…
In thanksgiving for the changing seasons and the challenges that bring day into night,
Lord, hear our prayer…
For truth, justice, and sincerity in our every word and thought and deed,
Lord, hear our prayer…
For those whom God calls in ways different from our own,
Lord, hear our prayer…
For those who seek direction and then follow with their hearts,
Lord, hear our prayer…
For peace of mind and confidence in Your decisions,
Lord, hear our prayer…
And, for those who will remain behind,
Lord, hear our prayer...

Kay writes: In the Catholic church daily Mass, the priest dishes out a few canned petitions and then asks for the petitions of the people. Some petitions are so negative that they set me on edge. What I have written here (I hope) countermands some of that negativity and narrow mindedness.