Heavenly Father, you have wooed us with kindly words, and won us with the sacrifice of your Son. You have shown us our sin and draped us with your holiness. Always, a word to cheer and urge us toward your righteousness.

We praise you, O God, for many other words and acts to hearten us through your people and our friends. Today is lighter because you used someone close to spur us on through whispers of courage and visions of power.

May our own tongues offer mercy, comfort, and lovingkindness. Put love on our lips and faith on our faces to pass forward what we have richly received from your hand. Through our Savior, Amen.