Love Your Neighbor

Lord, 

Help us to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

Help us to love our Hispanic neighbor. 

Help us to love our Jewish neighbor. 

Help us to love our Syrian neighbor. 

Help us to love our disabled neighbor. 

Help us to love our Muslim neighbor. 

Help us to love our Christian neighbor. 

Help us to love our gay neighbor.

Help us to love our forgotten neighbor. 

Help us to love our imprisoned neighbor. 

Help us to love our lonely neighbor.

Lord, help us to love all of our neighbors. 

Lord, we are in a time of unrest, of fear, of not knowing what is to come, but through it all, help us to lean on your words, your teachings, and your guidance. 

Just as you were a refugee and turned away from the land you called home, help us to practice empathy and hospitality to all that we meet. You have called us to be beacons of hope in a dark world and it seems like our world just keeps getting darker. 

We long for the light of Christ and the promise of the kingdom of Heaven. 

We long for a world where all people feel safe, loved, valued, and embraced. 

We long for a peace that surpasses all understanding and that leads us to live lives of authenticity, compassion, and justice. 

Our hearts are breaking, Lord, yet we know that it is through our brokenness that you piece us back together and allow the light of your grace to shine through the cracks. Thank you for showing us grace - especially when we don't deserve it. Thank you for entrusting us with the Gospel - even when we forget what it says. Thank you for extending the covenant of life through your son - even when we take it for granted. 

Help us to be the kingdom of Heaven on earth, on your earth, that you have so lovingly entrusted us with. 

Lord, help us to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

Help us to love our hurting neighbor.

Help us to love our transgender neighbor.

Help us to love our Iranian neighbor.

Help us to love our lost neighbor.

Help us to love our scared neighbor.

Help us to love our democratic neighbor.

Help us to love our republican neighbor.

Help us to love our independent neighbor.

Help us to love our anxious neighbor.

Lord, help us to love all of our neighbors as you so tenderly have loved each and everyone one of us. Amen.