And it is God who is doing the heavy lifting of changing people's hearts, not us! As the beautiful picture of Jacob's ladder in our fourth reading shows us, God is constantly active in the spiritual realm, retrieving and sending angels to deliver messages, exert influence, protect from evil, and deluge with comfort and peace. And now, with the gift given to us by the risen Christ – the Advocate, the Holy Spirit – God is WITH us constantly, keeping us wherever we go, securing us in our faith and enabling our honest witness.
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, keep us from deception and keep us attuned to your will. Give us patience as we wait for your blessings, in Jesus name, amen.