God of our longing

God of our longing,
hear our prayers
protect our dreams,
and listen to our silent hopes.

Deal gently with our pain,
speak to our sadness,
and remove the barriers 
that imprison our spirit.

Shed your light
where shadows are cast,
that we may feel your warmth
and know your presence.

Give us courage 
to hold fast to our vision
that we may build our world
and create our future.

Amen.

Prayer by Annabel Shilson-Thomas/CAFOD