Opening Prayer
God of Expansive and Generous Mercy, like Jonah we get distracted by fleeting things which grow in the garden of our lives, but lose the bigger picture. We grieve over personal losses more than we hurt for the incredible suffering of the larger Body of Christ and the rest of Your children. Expand our hearts. Stretch our spirits beyond self-pity, self-preoccupation, and narrow vision. Give us Your heart, Your vision! Jesus taught us to pray and know You as Our Father, Whose name is holy and Whose reign is promised. Give us eyes to appreciate and digest the bread You give us today and each day of our lives. Free us to let go of hurts and disappointments which harden our hearts. Free us to forgive, God of Generous Heart and Embracing Mercy, Who is enfleshed in Jesus and Who lives among us this day.
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