Gracious God,
Thank you for the precious people
who, quietly and humbly, have
been the hands and feet of Jesus for us,
who have celebrated our joys,
wept in our sorrows,
and sacrificed to help us
become everything you
have created us to be;
each one a gift of love
from your gracious hand.
May we also be a gift to others,
who need to see your grace, especially
the many women around the world
whose voices have been silenced,
some, sadly, by the church herself.
Give us the grace
to listen to those
who are rarely heard,
and to empower them
to share their gifts,
whatever they may be.
Amen