Compassionate God, rock of salvation and stronghold in distress, as your servants and chosen people, we come closer to you, the source of grace. Lord, you are the righteous one who sanctifies and redeems us. You are the God of restoration and renewal. You have made our life brighter than it was before. We bow before you and gaze toward you, illuminating our lives with the flow of your mercy and love, so that those who are humble in heart may rejoice in you and shine in the darkness, so that your works may be displayed in our lives. Lord, we beseech you to enable us to boast and rejoice in our weaknesses, as they serve as the means of your perfect grace and the channel for your power to flow into our lives, making us perfect through our weaknesses through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.