Help us, O God, to be good and true friends to those around us and to those who are farther away. We are all God’s people.

Help us to be ready to share what we have as true friends.

Help us to hear the cries of anguish from mothers, fathers, and children in whatever language, and to respond according to our abilities.

When we become overwhelmed with the pain of our friends, release in us a renewed confidence that in you all things are possible.

You, Lord, hold the world in your hands; help us to see that we too can and should hold the world in prayer.

"To the soul, there is hardly anything more healing than friendship." Thomas Moore (1478-1535)