God, you are the God who loves outrageously. 
 
We see in creation the mark of your extravagant love from the very beginning of time; we see in the history of your people a God who gives endlessly; in the person of Jesus we witness your passionate, self-giving love.  
 
Unite our hearts with yours, so that we may learn to live at peace and in love with our neighbors. 
 
Make us faithful that we may love our friends and family in radical ways that ignite generosity throughout our communities. 
 
Open our eyes to the family around us we do not yet know, that we can identify ways to live in a spirit of cooperation with our local community, mentoring and caring for young people who do not enjoy the benefits of a loving family, finding and celebrating the simple joys of life with those around us. 
 
Share with us your vision of the kingdom, that we, too, may long for your kingdom and share that vision with the world. 
 
Amen.
 
 
 
Dagney Pullin is an elder in the Kansas East Conference, serving at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection as the Pastor of Community Life. She shares her life with her husband, Dave, daughter, Aliyah, and more beautiful friends and family than she deserves.  You can read her blog at www.pastordagney.blogspot.com.