Into a Unity of Love

O God the Father, Origin of divinity, 
good beyond all that is good, 
fair beyond all that is fair, 
in whom is calmness, peace, and concord; 
make up the dissensions  
which divide us from each other, 
and bring us back into a unity of love, 
which may bear some likeness 

to your divine nature. 

And as you are above all things, 
make us one by the unanimity of a good mind, 
that through the embrace of charity
and the bonds of affection,
we may be spiritually one,
as well in ourselves as in each other;
through that peace of yours 
that makes all things peaceful,
and through the grace, mercy, and tenderness
of your Son, Jesus Christ, amen.

(a prayer of Dionysius the Great; photo by pasja100 via pixabay.com)