Prayer of Volunteers

O Lord,
You taught us that the greatest love
Is to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Help us to understand in voluntary work the opportunity
Not only to encounter human suffering
But also to live love.
Open our eyes so that we may see in every poor person
Your face and your presence.
Open our mind so that we may appreciate
The uniqueness of every person,
with his history and culture.
Open our ears so that we may receive with kindness
The voices that ask to be listened to.
Open our hearts to offer hope where there is fear,
Solidarity where there is loneliness,
Comfort where there is sadness.
Help us O Lord to bear witness to the gospel
With a smile, a word, a gesture of affection.
Give us the humility to recognise that we
Are not the light but
Instruments of your love.
Amen.