Almighty God, you sent Jesus not when things were going well but to light your people through impossibly difficult times. You gave me the gifts of being and of your constant love and ask only that I do my best to offer the same to others. You also gave me my own precious and unique gifts, my passion, and my sense of purpose. My faith is my fuel for being ablaze in the shadowed wilderness, a light for others to follow. You knew that sometimes I’d feel hopeless and powerless, and that when I did, I would not be able to serve you and your people as well. Holy one, help me through these days. Show me the way forward that I might do the same for those I love, who, by your hardest commandment, I understand to be everyone. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.