Prayer to stop and listen

Lord,
our lives are full of noise and never-ending activities.
Too often, we want to “keep doing” and never stop.
Too often, we want to speak and never listen.

Help us, so that we may take the time to stop,
Help us to open our eyes, our ears,
So that we can see what matters without being distracted by the latest news,
So that we can explore the complexity of this world without following the first “good solution” stated by the ones who speak the loudest.
So that we can hear the voices nobody wants to hear, the voices of the little ones, the humble ones, the forgotten ones, the voice of your Creation.

Help us, so that we can open our hearts to turn what is happening to the Earth into our own personal suffering.

May we speak against what should be denounced
May we open a dialogue where everyone has a space to express themselves.

Support us, so that we dare take the risk to give to the world what lies deep inside us and is our own personal contribution.

Guide us, so that we may open paths
where we can walk together
and share the light you give us.

Help us to stop and listen, so that we may hear the gentle sound of the seed
that grows in the soil
without anyone being aware of it, except you,
and becomes a seed of hope each day.

Amen.

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Source: By Anne Doutriaux, France Programs Coordinator (Lent Europe 2024)
Laudato Si’ Movement website