The voice of one

    crying in the wilderness:

Prepare the way

           of the Lord,

make His paths straight. 

Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill

          shall be made low,

and the crooked

    shall become straight,

and the rough places

    shall become level ways,

and all flesh shall see

     the salvation of God.

              Isaiah 40. 3-5

              Luke 3. 4-6

(Whatever it takes

to prepare the way of the Lord

in other people's lives,

even if it appears

         no one is listening,

         no one cares,

         a virtual wilderness.

Move mountains,

                if necessary.

Stand in the gap.

Love them to Jesus.)

O dear Father Almighty,

give to us the strength

and wisdom

and compassion

   to love others to You.

Show us

   how to navigate

     this mine field,

     this volatile relationship,

   even through

          their anger or apathy,

   even despite

      these momentary afflictions,

to prepare Your way

    and pave it with Your love,

ever mindful of You.