God of mercy and grace, I come to You this morning to worship  You and praise You. I am humbled by Your perfect love and give continuing thanks for Your presence in my life. 

My prayer this morning is for more awareness of the real needs of those in my own community. Help me see beyond the prejudice and stereotypes. Help me see and meet my neighbors as others struggling just like me. 

Lord, help me allow Your perfect love to cast away my fear so that I can be an ambassador of reconciliation and peace. Allow Your love to be reflected through all my speech and all my actions, especially in my own community.

Grant me a measure of Your grace and Your compassion that this part of Your creation might become a place where needs are met and where Your presence provides true comfort and hope to those most in need. Amen