A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; The rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. ~Isaiah 40:3-5
Jesus, prepare my heart for Your coming. Show me the places in my heart that are a wasteland, a desert where life cannot flourish. Here are my doubts and apathy, Lord. I offer them to You so that You might quench them with streams of Your living water. Come and water the dry, cracked earth where the seeds of faith cannot take root and instead make them fruitful.
Jesus, show me the valleys and low places in my heart. Come and lift them up. Here are my sadnesses and failures, Lord. Come, speak Your words of comfort to my heart and redeem them. Here are my greatest hurts Lord. I offer them to You so that you might gently heal them. Come and fill my low places with Your life-giving love.
Jesus, show me the mountains and hills in my heart. Come and make them low. Here are my prideful ways, Lord. I offer them to you so that You might humble and redeem them. Come and increase my humility, mercy, and charity for others. Come, make me poor in spirit and gently lead me away from the sin of pride.
Jesus, show me the rough and rugged places in my heart. Come and make them smooth and even. Here are my most disagreeable habits, Lord. I wish they were not my own, so I offer them to You. Here are the things that make living with me difficult. Come, give me a meek and humble heart like Yours. Help me to love easily and be easy to love.
Lord Jesus, come into my heart this Advent. Make my heart a holy tabernacle for Your Holy Spirit. May my thoughts, words, and actions glorify You, Lord. Amen.