A different Kind of Prayer - Patti


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 was 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 just to those who are close to us 
but to all humanity. 
Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive. 
Bless us with patience, empathy and love. 
AMEN!