O LORD, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, whose creative and sustaining power is demonstrated in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is before all things and by him all things consist; Protect our emotions in the vicissitudes of life, especially in this winter season, so that the bitter and cold air, the brittle and broken branches, and the slate-gray horizons beyond charcoal silhouettes of forests deep, will serve, not to oppress our spirits, but like black velvet backdrops behind dazzling diamonds, to awaken us to the splendor of your faithfulness; for Thou art unchanging in the midst of our ever-changing world; so that we, trusting in our Redeemer, may use winter days as a providential prompting to gather together in warming prayer before Thy throne of grace; through the life and might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.