But be on your guard.

For they will deliver you

  over to councils,

and you will be beaten

             in synagogues,

and you will stand

     before governors and kings

for My sake,

   to bear witness before them.

                  Mark 13. 9

(Do not fear,

   but do not be surprised,

wherever we are,

in whatever we are doing,

among whom we are,

in His name

          and for His sake,

to bear witness before them,

and bring the name of Jesus

                      there.

Even now.

Even in this.

Our actions are a testimony,

our love and grace for others

     --even our attitudes--

           make them wonder,

but God is using us

                  for His glory

in the most unexpected ways

and among the unlikely.

Someone in this place

                  needs Jesus.

May we have the courage

        to use our words.)

O LORD,

Grant to us Your love

   to welcome others to the table.

Help us to know that

  You have strategically placed us

  in all eternity

right here to bear witness.

There can be no greater calling.

No matter what swirls around us,

     You are with us.

     You are changing lives.

May we bring honor to You

   in all that we do today.

There are

         no ordinary days.