Make straight the way of the Lord.

That powerful command, "Make straight the way of the Lord," comes from John the Baptist, who was prophesied as the "voice of one calling in the wilderness" to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3, John 1:23).

It is a call to active, intentional preparation—not for a physical road, but for a spiritual one in our own hearts and communities.

Here is a poetic and prayerful reflection on what that means.

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Make Straight the Way of the Lord

A voice cries out in my own wilderness,

In the tangled thoughts and the soul's duress.

"Prepare the way!The King is near!

Make His path straight,and leave no fear."

Make straight the way of the Lord.

Level the mountains of my pride,

Where self-ambition seeks to hide.

The peaks of"I," and "me," and "mine,"

Bring low,O God, by grace divine.

Fill in the valleys of despair,

The hollowed places of my care.

The doubts that whisper,"He's not there,"

Fill with Your promise,strong and fair.

Straighten the crooked paths of sin,

The twisted ways that begin within.

The compromise,the subtle lie,

Make straight and true,Lord, from on high.

Smooth out the rough places, sharp and cold,

The hardened heart,the story old

Of unforgiveness,bitter root—

Make smooth the passage for Your truth.

This is the work I cannot do,

My hands alone will not see through.

So come,O Spirit, with Your plumb line true,

And make my heart a highway for You.

Let every obstacle of soul

Submit to Your supreme control.

Until the path is clear and free,

For Your great glory come to me.

Make straight the way of the Lord in me,

A prepared and willing heart to see

The King of Kings in glory come,

And find in me a welcome home.

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’”

—Luke 3:4