“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.

Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.

And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

-Luke 3:4-6

Lord, we are grateful for this day, given to us so graciously, for all of life is a pure gift. We choose to live life in gratitude, Father. To know, to speak, that all that I am, and all that I have is given to me through a gift of love, one to be celebrated each day in joy. When we make the conscious choice to be in, to speak in, to act, in gratitude instead of complaint, we uncover grace. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

For you want us to live our best life, Father. To live every moment wisely and with grace, always forward, always in the way of the heart. Living the life that we want to live is true freedom. It is a freedom that you give to us, once we free ourselves from the shackles of old limiting beliefs, a blank canvas on which to create the life we truly want.

Bless us this day, Father, as we prepare the way for new beginnings, as we cleanse ourselves and purify our intentions. Bless our loved ones that they may be freed to create their own best life also. Bless our country, may it be cleansed and renewed in all your glory. May we live by the tree of wisdom and make ourselves ready by removing the splinters of old lessons, one by one, cleanly, so we can heal and move forward in grace together, at your direction.

In Jesus’ name,

In Holy service,

Amen.