Correct attitude to the world

O Lord,

grant that we may not be conformed to the world,

but may love it and serve it.

Grant that we may never shrink

from being instruments of your peace

because of the judgment of the world.

Grant that we may love you without fear of the world,

grant that we may never believe

that the inexpressible majesty of yourself

may be found in any power of this earth.

May we firstly love you

and our neighbours as ourselves.

May we remember the poor and the prisoner,

and the sick and the lonely,

and the young searchers,

and the tramps and vagabonds,

and the lost and lonely,

as we remember Christ,

who is in them all.

Alan Paton