The following night

the Lord stood by him and said,

"Take courage;

for as you have

    testified to the facts

    about Me in Jerusalem,

so you must testify

         also in Rome."

            Acts 23. 11

(Faithfulness does not

   just prepare us

       for the next big thing,

but the now equips us

                even for today.

Preparation does not mean

   learning to use

          what is in our toolbox

           or skill set,

     but learning to take courage

     from the reality of God with us.

There are no small obediences,

       nor unconnected ones.

One strength builds on another

    in degrees

    and interwoven layers

          we don't even realize.)

O LORD,

Help us to trust You

   in whatever we face today,

responding to You

    and to others

with a heart set on You.

May we not just be

          mindful of You

in this situation

        or difficult relationship,

but have the mind of Christ,

                   even in this.

Fill each of us

   with the courage we need,

knowing that we are not alone.

Help us also

   to know that Your courage

empowers us also

           to encourage others.

May we bring the

             name of Jesus

wherever we are today,

in conversation,

in deed,

and even in attitude.