A prayer that we might reflect God's love

All loving and all-embracing God, our hearts overflow with gratitude when we think and feel your love, manifested in Jesus Christ and poured into our hearts by your Holy Spirit. Let our response be spontaneous praise, praying fervently, reading your words passionately and welcoming the strangers genuinely. Give us charismatic smiles, courteous words and sacrificial hearts when we approach others with your love. Help us to overcome the temptation of being engaged in pious acts to win your favour and instead teach us to live in solidarity with you and with the needy and suffering. Let us and our churches reflect your love in a love-hungry world, now and always. Amen.

Israel Selvanayagam, supernumerary presbyter, Birmingham