Be strong

      and courageous.

Do not fear

   or be in dread of them,

for it is the LORD your God

  who goes with you.

He will not leave you

        or forsake you.

        Deuteronomy 31. 6

(No exclusions.

Anxiety is

   leaving God

   out of the equation.

Fear only blocks out the light,

worry distracts from

    the way to navigate this,

and courage is being scared

   but knowing not just

       God is in this,

     but God is with us.

Courage is not

      the absence of fear,

but knowing God's Presence

            with us.

Crisis is realizing

      we are not in control.

Courage is knowing

               God still is.)

O LORD,

Thank You for being

            with us,

for Your hand on us

   to fulfill Your purposes

   in these strange times.

Please help us

   to be distinguished

          as Your people

   by our response

       to circumstances,

knowing Your power

and remembering

the chronicle of Your faithfulness

through our lives,

knowing that what we even realize

          is only a glimpse

     of what You have done.

We are surrounded by bad news.

Help us to respond

           with Your good news,

because that is what

    the Gospel is all about.