Lord Jesus, 

    you were ever ready to listen to those who cried out to you.
You gave us ears to hear:

    help us to hear.
May we listen to all we meet, 

    and to those who come to us in trouble.
Remind us daily that there is a time for silence and a time for speaking,
    and show us when to speak and when to hold our peace.
Never let us miss a cry for help, 

    because we are too busy talking about ourselves.
Make us ready to listen to others, 

    because we listen each day in silence to you,
O Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. 

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 

    not looking to your own interests 

    but each of you to the interests of the others.