That from our depth new life emerges
thanks be to you, O God.
That through our body
and the bodies of men and women everywhere
heaven’s creativity is born on earth,
children of eternity are conceived in time
and everlasting bonds of tenderness
and forged amidst the hardness of life’s struggles,
thanks be to you.
That in our soul
and the soul of every human being
sacred hopes are hidden,
longings for what has never been are heard
and visions for earth’s peace and
prosperity are glimpsed,
thanks be to you.
For those near to us who are in turmoil this day
and for every family in its brokenness,
for the woundedness of our own life
and for every creature that is suffering,
O God of all life, we pray.
John Philip Newell, Sounds of the Eternal | Photo by Karin Baard