Mark 1:2-8 (ESV)
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Lord, the voice is crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. We prepare the way for Lord and make the pathways straight by repenting of our sins and asking Your forgiveness. We confess that we have done what we should not have done and we have not done what we should have done. Forgive us, cleanse our hearts, and lead in Your righteous paths. In Jesus’ name. Amen.