Tell Them

I read the following passage yesterday, and received it from the Lord as a good reminder of what should be a regular practice for me and what I should particularly look to do when I'm home this Christmas:

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
(Mark 5:18-21)

O gracious and merciful Lord,
May we be so satisfied in you, so aware of our wretchedness before you, and so grateful for your grace and mercy which we do not deserve, that we are not afraid to speak of the glorious gospel of Christ to our friends and family who do not know you, and to invite them to believe it. Embolden us to "proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness and into his marvelous light." Persuade our hearts that if we do not share Christ with them, we have not loved them but rather hated them. Please make our witness effective for your name's sake, granting faith and repentance to our friends and family.
Amen.