Lord, we come here today with good intentions.  We want to be better people, we want to know You more and we want to share Your love with those around us.  But there are things that get in the way.  Money, fame, people, success… are false idols and false friends.  Shatter these illusions and anything that we place higher than You.   These things cannot love us unconditionally, they cannot forgive us endlessly, and they cannot bring the hope of salvation that only comes from the sacrificial love of the one true God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  Even our mistakes, regrets, fears and short comings are not equal to You so put away the doubts that we have in Your possibilities for our lives and instead renew our faith in the One that we cannot see but who is always there… in and around us.  Restore the vision of Your people, O God, so that Your light and love shine bright.  You walk with us, Lord, You walk with us through the storms and valleys of this life whether we see You there or not.  Be our strength, our guide, and most of all our friend.