But let justice

roll down like waters

and righteousness

like an everflowing stream.

            Amos 5. 24

(Selfishness and

     self-righteousness

 dry up the rivers

   that bring life

and hope and goodness.

Doing what is good and right

   and loving in the sight of God

is always the

          right thing to do.

God nurtures.

God redeems.

God brings life

  when we seek the welfare

  of those we know

           and don't know.

It is not that we

       allow God to work,

but God works through us,

even in unexpected places

   and bears fruit

   in drought or desert.

We have no idea

the power of God's grace

  through our choices

                   and deeds,

no matter how insignificant

                 they appear to us.

We can't do everything,

   but we can do something.

We see a trickle of water.

God sees a mighty river.)

O LORD,

The world is broken and suffers

    from injustice and wrongdoing.

Help us to hold fast to You

  and Your ways,

even when it seems like

              treading water,

       or going upstream

  against the prevailing current

  of complacence

             and evil around us

     and in our own hearts.

Help us to seek You in this day

focusing and faithful to You,

and thereby,

choosing to be

      responsive to circumstances

  and not distracted

       or defeated by them.

Help us to know

   that being faithful to You,

to bringing the

         name of Jesus there,

may be what does not just

not just keep our own heads

             above the waters

 but keeps someone else afloat.