A Prayer for Open Hands

Father, the week begins and we return to earning, proving, and managing. Before we do, we come to you as children with open hands, because your Son says that is the only way the kingdom is received.

We confess that we have sometimes been the disciples in this story, turning away the small, the slow and the inconvenient because we had important things to do. Forgive us. Make us indignant at the things that make Jesus indignant, and gentle where he is gentle.

Bless the children in our homes and churches. Take them in your arms as Jesus did. And for those among us who feel far too old and far too tired to start again, remind us that no one is too grown to be given a gift.

Keep our hands open all week. Amen.