A Different kind of prayer

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk
who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother
who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to
cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and
spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed,
disinterested young man who can't make change
correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student,
balancing his apprehension over final exams with his
fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging
for money in the same spot every day (who really ought
to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only
imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking
annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking
our shopping progress are savoring this moment,
knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back
last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping
together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the
gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not
enough to share that love with those we hold dear.
Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us,
but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick
to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.