God, Father of merciful love, May we always see the world through the eyes of the Good Samaritan and be filled with Your deep compassion.

Help us to be merciful neighbors even when it is inconvenient, when we don’t have time, or when we have other responsibilities to which we must attend. Grant us the insight to see the need in those around us, the wisdom to know how to respond, and the strength to do so willingly.

We pray for those we might cross the road to avoid–the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized. Those, who in many and various ways, have been stripped, beaten and left for dead. We pray for all who call from us more than we feel we have to give.

Open our eyes, that we might not cross the road from human need. May our love of You and love of our neighbor call us to be people of peace and justice in the world.

And may we, like the Good Samaritan, always ‘go and do likewise’. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.