Prayer for Friends

I have called you friends.
--John 15:15

Lord Jesus Christ,
while on earth you had close and devoted friends,
such as John. Lazarus, Martha and Mary.
You showed in this way that friendship
is one of life's great blessings.

Thank you for the friends that you have given me
to love me in spite of my failures and weaknesses,
and to enrich my life after your example.
Let me ever behave toward them
as you behaved toward your friends.

Bind us close together in you and enable us
to help one another on our earthly journey.

Amen.