The prayer to care

You may have noticed a new reaction on Facebook: the ‘care’ reaction.

Here is a prayer to care:

Our Father,

You care so much.  God, You came to earth in the fullness of Your Son, and came to the ‘least of these’ that they might know how uniquely precious these who are the greatest are.  Yes, Lord, You came to turn the world upside down, and You are still doing it, to the praise of the marginalised and the broken and those who otherwise are bereft of hope.

Because of You and Your care, there is life for those who would have no life.

Because of You and Your care, there is potential growth for those who are floundering.

Because of You and Your care, there is always the possibility that the impossible may be done.

As we pray this prayer of care, You are to be acknowledged as the One to whom we look in terms of model for what CARE looks like.  We know that if we care in a way that is not of You, we do not care at all.  We need You to show us the way.  Indeed, we need to get out of the way so it’s You that we show.

Glory be all Yours, God Most High and Utmost Caring Friend, as we follow You by the care You show us to do by Your Spirit.

May it be that the care we do wells up on the wings of compassion, grace, patience, fortitude.  May the people we care for absolutely marvel at the simplicity of Your power through our hands and feet.  May we not be discouraged when we get Your care wrong, and when those we care for give us feedback, help us to listen in such a way that the one giving feedback feels they’re right.

May Your care be done through our acts that are done in secret, meaning that through Your care we remain humbly faithful, and perfectly safe, to protect those lives we care for, to the extent that we do no harm, ever.  Help us remember to never forget we do every thought, word and deed before the Audience of One.  Assure us by Your Presence that You note every caring and uncaring detail that is ever done.

May Your care through our eyes and ears be marvellous to the effect felt by the people we care for, and may this care please You, first and foremost.  Yet may our care always be integrally the other person’s possession, where they have the power to endorse or dismiss.

May Your care inspire us through our hearts and motivate such a devotion to serve.  May You give us longevity, wisdom, discernment, and all due diligence to do good and no reprehensible harm all the caring days of our lives.

May it be that You are with us, interminably, now until the end of the age.

Thank You that You are,

In Jesus’ perfectly caring name, AMEN.