Opening Prayer
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08/13/2026
Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben
God, you are the Lord of our lives; we pray for your mercy. In these times of contest and contention, we have insisted on being right, rather than persisting in following your command to love others – right or wrong. We have held on to grudges and neglected to show grace.
Almost as frequently, we rush in to give answers, speaking our minds, when listening and being mindful of another person’s needs would have been more helpful. We have underestimated the service of silence and overlooked the gentle kindness of quite attention.
God, show us how to love others as we love ourselves, that we wouldn't be so slow to forgive, slow to serve, or slower still to help bear the burdens carried by those who walk beside us.
Instead, may we be mirrors of your mercy, sharing the gift of your love in these days.
We offer ourselves and our prayers in your gracious name.
Leviticus 19:8