Gracious, loving and merciful God, you created humankind in your image and likeness, and everything you made you have declared “good.”

Your creative power is so awesome that there is nothing — no sin, no failure, no weakness of ours — that we can do to erase your image in us,nothing that we can do to dim the light of your love for us.

And therefore, because of your very goodness,we pray for every person we see on the sidewalks of our city.

When we walk from here to there, help us see our neighbors as you must see them,surrounded by divine light and steadfast love.Alert us to the prejudices carried within usthat destroy the possibility of mutual safety, justice, community and friendship.

Cleanse our hearts of disappointment in and malice toward others.

By the power of your Holy Spirit, nurture in our hearts the same steadfast love with which you regard us,and which you have promised us always in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

By the power of that love, help us see your image in every face, until that day when we see you face to face.

We commend into your hands all for whom we pray, trusting in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— Rev. Kimberly Van Driel Pastor, First English Lutheran Church, Butler

Religious and civic leaders contributed original prayers for Seek God for Butler, a recently published booklet of prayers focused on the community’s spiritual concerns. The Butler Eagle will publish a submission from the booklet every Monday.