A timely prayer

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort: at easy answers, at half-truths, and superficial relationships—so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger: at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed: for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen.

From the National Council of Churches: www.ncccusa.org/iraq/firstanniversary /iraqprayers.html