Ours Are the Hands That Must Do Your Work

Spirit of life and love, your prophet Isaiah called us to worship you by freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and housing the homeless. Your follower St. Francis cried out, "Make me an instrument of Thy peace." Jesus instructed us to love our neighbors—and our enemies—as ourselves.

Remind us again, dear God, that ours are the hands that must do your work. We are the ones who must comfort the sick and lift up the poor. We are the ones who must challenge traditions to bring about justice. Strengthen our resolve, we pray, to live out our faith as doers of good works. Fill us with the spirit, which will give us both courage and strength to move out into the world, and there, to make a difference. By our efforts, may your will be done. Amen.