Why should they say

        among the peoples,

"Where is their God?"

              Joel 2. 17

(Others are continually watching

to see if God is real,

to see if God makes

   any difference in who we are,

in how we respond,

in what we choose to do,

in how we love each other,

    our neighbors,

    sojourners,

    strangers,

    even those who are

                 against us.)

O LORD,

May others see and witness

    Your abiding in us.

May we be willing

    to bring Your name here,

    even in unexpected places,

    even among the unlikely.

How do we navigate

    this difficult passage,

    this hardship,

    even favor differently

  because we know You?

May our lives bear the marks

        of changed hearts,

   not reliant on performance

              or perfection,

but transformed by Your grace.

Help us to live in the reality

   of being fully loved

               and fully forgiven.

Please help others

          to see You.