“Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!
whose hope is in the Lord their God;
Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them;
who keeps his promise for ever;
Who gives justice to those who are oppressed,
and food to those who hunger.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down….”
–Psalm 146:4-7
Open our eyes, Lord Christ,
and heal our blindness,
to see your glory revealed in all creation.
Open our lips, O God Almighty,
that our songs may tell out your saving help
to all who call upon You.
Open our minds, O Spirit of Truth,
that we may learn the ways of justice and peace,
and work for the mutual welfare of all.
Open our hearts, O Holy One,
that we may love each other
as You have loved us.
Open our hands, O God of Freedom,
that we may offer them to all in need,
just as we turn to You in hope.
Renew a right spirit with us, O Loving One,
that we may seek your grace
and praise your mercy with thankfulness.
Draw us within your pastures, O Prince of Peace,
and place the seal of your promise and protection
upon all who call upon You.
Amen.
Leslie Scoopmire is a retired teacher and a priest in the Diocese of Missouri. She is priest-in-charge of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Ellisville, MO. She posts daily prayers at her blog Abiding In Hope, and collects spiritual writings and images at Poems, Psalms, and Prayers