Lord, help me to enter into the hard places in order that I may learn to trust and emerge more whole.

Accompany me even into the inner caverns of badness and self-hatred.

Give me steadfastness and courage that I may emerge into a broad place,
a place of greater honesty and clarity in encounters with others;
a place of greater willingness to meet others who are very different;
a place of greater ability and enjoyment in loving and being loved by friends;
a place of greater strength and compassion.

Take me down to the spring of my life – tell me my nature and my name.