Father,

The world is brighter today, because we know you love us. When we become weary, when we are overwhelmed with the concerns of these changing times, we can come to you and ask that our light be renewed. We take that light, that spark of You inside us, and we expand it outward. We can soon feel our body humming. Soon we feel it shining outward as if we were the light bulb lighting up a dark room. That is our light, but it comes from you, Father.

This is a very humble way to be a light-bearer. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) It starts from inside us where you dwell. There are so many around us now who are confused and hurting and suffering. We can be that light with a kind gesture, a thoughtful word, a gentle hand. We can stir the soul by creating works of such beauty they speak of your presence in everything of this world. We can touch a place inside another that awakens their hearts after being shut down for so long. We can be the catalyst that inspires a weary world to arise with newly emboldened voices. We will let the truth ring out. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

Let us be the expanding light that you created us to be. Let us shine outward with a true and pure love for humanity. Bless us with the compassion that wipes a tear from someone’s eye and sends warmth to their hearts. May we be the heartbeat of humanity through persistent and unfailing values of what is good and healthy and alive.

Let it be so,

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.