About midnight Paul and Silas

   were praying

   and singing hymns to God,

and the prisoners were

          listening to them...

                    Acts 16. 25

(People all around us

are always watching and listening

to see how we respond

both to favor and adversity,

to seeming failure and success,

not to see if we are perfect

  but what we do when we are not,

when we experience injustice

           or witness it,

to those in need,

to which place in line we seek,

what seat we take,

how we bless others,

who sits at our table

   --move over and set another place--,

to see if this God of ours

                  is real

and makes an actual difference

       in who we are

       and how we live.)

O LORD,

Keep us praying and singing out loud,

worshiping You

         in unexpected places,

among those we don't even know

         are listening

         and impacted by our words

                 attitudes and deeds.

Someone around us

        needs to be freed,

        needs to be empowered

               by Your strength,

        needs to know You.

Keep us faithful to You today

   and aware that

   You are on the move

and using us for Your glory.