Collect

by Mary Stewart

Keep us, O God from pettiness: let us be large in
thought, in word, in deed.
Let us be done with fault-finding, and 
leave off self seeking
May we put away all pretense and meet each other
face to face without self pity and without predjudice.
May we never be hasty in judgement and always 
generous.
Let us take time for all things; make us grow calm, 
serene, gentle.
Teach us to put into action our better impulses, 
straightforward and unafraid.
Grant that we may reaize it is the little things 
that create differences, 
That in the big things of life we are one.
And may we strive to touch and to know the great 
common human heart of us all; and 
O lord God, let us forget not to be kind!