Lord, hear our prayer:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we thank you for men and women who have been like John the Baptist for us; for those who have prepared the way for others to hear you speak, to know you are real and to make ready to welcome you into their lives; for those who have been ready to stand and be counted, to suffer loss and rejection rather than deny the truth of Christ. We thank you for those today, even in our materialistic society, whose words and deeds demonstrate the reality of your presence; for those whose way of life gives hope to others and glory to you. With unending thanks, in the name of Christ, our Lord.
Amen.