Prepare Us For A Better Life

O Merciful Father, grant us grace to feel shame for our part in a world which made it necessary for Christ to die on the cross!  Help us through our prayer life with you to prepare our hearts for deeper relationships with you and our neighbors.  Open our eyes that we may see Christ among us; enlighten our understanding that we may know him; and strengthen our wills that we may follow him.  Unite your people in fellowhip through our common life and our common need for your Grace.  Purify us by your cleansing power; and bless us by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit.  In Christ's most blessed name, we do pray.  Amen.