This week's prayer comes from Anselm who lived from 1033-1109. I came across it as I was looking for a prayerful voice that went beyond the inside of our churches and sought engagement with the larger world. That such an ancient prayer could be so relevant points to the need for the church in every age to engage Jesus' ethic of love toward neighbor.

We bring before you, O Lord; the troubles and perils of people and nations, the sighing of prisoners and captives, the sorrows of the bereaved, the necessitities of strangers, the helplessness of the weak, the despondency of the weary, the failing powers of the aged. O Lord, draw near to each; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.