Dearest Lord, through Paul, you teach us how to open our hearts for service: with purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech and the power of God.

Open wide our hearts for your righteousness.

Dearest Lord, you are known by your acts of justice. Your church must be a beacon for justice around the world, and a refuge for the oppressed.

Open wide our hearts for your righteousness.

Dearest Lord, we pray that you will infect the hearts of the leaders of this nation, and the nations of the world, with purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech and the power of God.

Open wide our hearts for your righteousness.

Dearest Lord, you promise us that the needy shall not always be forgotten, and that the hope of the poor shall not perish. Help us to love and shelter the poor and the needy, here and around the world.

Open wide our hearts for your righteousness.

Dearest Lord, where were we when you laid the foundations of the earth? When the morning stars sang and the heavens shouted for joy? Help us to care for the earth as the miracle that it is.

Open wide our hearts for your righteousness.

Dearest Lord, in the storm, the disciples implored you, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” You calmed the wind, then asked the disciples, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” Lord, help us to have faith even when we are afraid. Be with us, our families, our friends, our neighbors, and those around the world who are sick, injured, despairing, and grieving. Help us to sit with them in faith, including those we now name:

Open wide our hearts for your righteousness.

Presider: Dearest Lord, set us on the sure foundation of lovingkindness, in which our hearts become open for your righteousness. Amen