Proverbs 17:17 (NRSV)
“A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity”.

Gracious God, today we thank you for the gift of friendship. We give thanks for those who laugh with us when times are good, and weep with us when times are sad, for those who show their care for us in very practical ways, for those ever ready to be a listening ear or offer a word of advice, for the people we trust and can depend on.
Lord God, we thank you for the gift of Jesus, our constant companion, who journeys with us offering support and encouragement. Through His example we see what it truly means to be a friend to all and so help us to be faithful to His teachings. Help us to live out His commandment to love our neighbours and treat them with the dignity, compassion and respect that we would like to receive in return. Help us to be ready to extend the hand of friendship to new friends, not yet made, to those in need of a new friend. May all our relationships be rooted in love, the love that comes from You, our creator God, remembering that we love, because You first loved us. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.