Those joined to us

Many different threads—family, friendship, faith—are shown being gently woven together into one single braid by a pair of hands.

Lord, please bless the people you’ve joined to us: those close to us through love, those related to us by family, and those who share our faith. Help them give themselves to you with their whole hearts. Fill them with the Spirit of your love, make them clean from earthly wants, and by your grace, make them ready for the happiness of heaven. Amen.

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

1 Thessalonians 3:12 (BSB)

Adapted from an ancient Gallican prayer, tr. William Bright (1864), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.