God.

We need you.

Even when we don’t think we do, we need you.

Not so much to fix things, which is what we think we want: fix my relationships, fix my body, fix my car.

We don’t so much need to you to do things, move mountains, make miracles, save me.

We need you to love us and to welcome us and to care about us.

Because, God, we could live with a broken car if we knew for sure that you knew, and that you cared, and that you were powerful.

Are powerful, I mean.

I don’t want to say that wrong. I don’t want you to think that I am saying the wrong words, that I am not recognizing you.

We confess that we worry about saying things wrong.

We confess that we worry about getting things right.

We confess that we haven’t figured out what you really meant by “love your neighbor as yourself” after two millennia of trying.

We confess that we don’t often enough ask you for help in understanding what it means.

And so on our behalf I ask for help.

Help us love today in the self-surrendering, other-serving, Father-directed way you loved, Jesus.

Help us see clearly those who have served you well and pick up their mantle and work with all the strength you give us to love deeply the ones you created.

And died for.

And live with.

May we keep in step with you.

Amen.