Have no fear of them,

nor be troubled,

but in your hearts

  honor Christ the Lord

              as holy,

always be prepared

to make a defense

to anyone who asks you

for a reason

for the hope that is in you;

yet do it with

   gentleness and respect.

           1 Peter 3. 14-15

(When we set our hearts

      to honor Christ,

even in places

  latent with fear and trouble,

a hope that cannot be

           explained away

will be tangibly obvious

in the most unexpected ways

   --in how we respond,

         our attitudes,

   and even on our faces.

Always be prepared

to make a defense,

   not by memorizing

   scripted answers,

but by practicing grace.

How do I approach this

       --or them--

differently because

        I am a believer?

Hope in Christ,

  is not wishful thinking

but that on which

      we can stake our lives.)

O LORD,

May Your Presence

   be evident

by our actions

      and reactions,

a deep love for You

    and by love of neighbor,

stranger,

even those who

        have wronged us

    or who don't know You.

Help us to pray continually,

live faithfully,

love well,

and practice grace

            over and over.

Help us to bear daily witness

    to Your glory.

Help us to be aware of that.