Dear God,

We cannot fully fathom heaven or hell.

We can imagine
white cloud embankments and lucent angels,
stunning brightness, and a throne of stars.

We can envision towering flames
and sulfurous canyons of molten rock,
blasting heat and voracious flames.
But these are rather vain fancies.

Perhaps we should instead recall
qualities in the life we know
which reflect the essence of the kingdom of God
and the citadel of Satan.

The hellish maiming of a child
and the rape of an innocent
are certainly the currency of hell,
as are the deliberate besmirching
of a reputation
and the purposeful injury
of a defenseless animal.

The disclosure of a confidence,
and the breaking of a heart.
All these are the quality and the coin of hell.

The fragility of a baby
and the innocence of a child,
these are the jewels of heaven.
The trust of a true friend, aid to one in need,
the sacrifice of self for others
and speaking ill of no person,
These are the measures and the jewels of heaven.

How can it be difficult
to seek for the glory of God's kingdom,
rather than to trade
in the infidelities and wickedness
of the domain of the Prince
of all darkness and repulsion?

Lord, King, Almighty God and Savior,
hold fast my eyes on the Promise of Your love
and turn me ever away from the temptations
of Satan the foul deceiver.

All this I pray in Your Holy Name,

Amen