A prayer for the heart

"If today you hear his voice harden not your hearts."

I frequently pray that my heart be softened--that my stoney heart be replaced by a heart of flesh. 

Recently, though, I have begun to also pray that my heart be strengthened as well as softened. A human heart is sensitive but also strong. We need courage, or fortitude, to be truly tender. Fear makes us tighten up and become hard and defensive. We cease displaying the vulnerability that is necessary for genuine love 

I would love to do a thorough study of "the heart."