A Liturgy for Friendship

I rejoice in the deep satisfaction of friendship, in the unceremonious familiarity of being known

Happy Monday, friends. If you didn’t know—we wrote two books together! Today, we are pausing our usual weekly essays for a more meditative, prayerful offering. The following liturgy is an excerpt from Liturgies for Hope by us, your friendship-loving gal pals. We hope you enjoy and share with a friend!

---

A Liturgy for Friendship

Oh Christ, I rejoice in the deep satisfaction of friendship,
in the unceremonious familiarity of being known, 
in the freedom to be no one other than myself. 

Thank you for these signs of grace: 
the ease of conversation,
the spontaneous eruption of laughter,
the safety of silence,
the relief of finding our way back to one another.

Let me never see friendship as commonplace
but as a rare and lavish gift.

As playful companions mature into confidants,
protect our growth with the cloud of Your presence. 
Braid Yourself into our entwined hearts
so that the cords of partnership are not easily broken.
Teach us the way of covenant friendship
so that we may live by the words of Ruth—
Where you go I’ll go; where you stay I’ll stay.
Your people will be my people, and your God my God. 

May we know the unselfish endurance of a friend who loves at all times.
May we willingly receive their wounds.
May ironclad honesty sharpen us,
sustaining our purest hearts,
smoothing our rough edges,
slicing away what keeps us from growth.

Just as You spoke face-to-face with Moses,
so we unveil our hearts to You in breathless wonder,
for You do not call us servants but friends.
We desire this friendship with You, too, Lord,
for even unto death have You loved us. 

Oh Lord who extends the arm of kinship to all who desire it,
this is the greatest joy of friendship—
to freely abide in the company of one who loves us.
May we know this intimacy with You first and foremost
and with humble bravery allow ourselves to be known.

Amen.

Exodus 33:7-11 | Ruth 1:16-17 | 1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20 | Proverbs 17:17; 26:6, 17 | Ecclesiastes 4:12 | John 15:15 | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | Philippians 2:8 | 1 John 3:1 

---

To read more modern liturgies and poetic prayers, buy Liturgies for Hope and Liturgies for Wholeness. These books were written to enrich and inspire your individual prayers, and to offer a handle to hold onto in seasons when you don’t have the words.

Photo credit: Paolo Verzani