God,
Jesus,
Spirit,

Today, we celebrate friendship.
The special relationships we have
With individuals who become like family
Who know us as we know them,
Whom we love deeply.

Thank you for the bond that forms
The Shared likes
The common ground
That provides us with connection

Allow us to be friends which, like you,
Stick close by, especially in the darkest moments;
To be there to guard and guide,
To lend a hand, a shoulder, a hug.

Thank you for friends who understand
Our deconstruction
Who recognize what we have left,
What we have lost,
And choose to stand with us.

Help us to be friends of equal effort,
Always ready to welcome into our lives,
Into our community,
Into our conversations.
That we might be open to all.

Allow that our friendships only grow
Grow deeper in understanding
Grow larger in number
Grow wider in welcoming.

Help us to recognize today
Those special few we consider our
Inner circle, our dearest and closest,
That we might be friends of encouragement.

Jesus, friend to all, we thank you.

Amen.