But You, O LORD,

are a shield about me,

my glory,

and the lifter of my head.

I cried aloud to the LORD,

and He answered me

           from His holy hill.

          Psalm 3. 3-4

(When I realize that

no matter what

     I am going through,

the LORD goes with me,

He surrounds me,

protects me,

keeps my soul.

He is the glory

         in this situation.

And He helps me

     to realize

     He is with me.

All along,

          no matter what.

God always answers.

We don't always

       ask for His help,

His strength,

His guidance,

    and we miss out

on what could have been.

Sometimes He answers

in ways or timing

we do not understand,

but always in ways

that draw us closer to Him.

Silence is not His absence,

but His deeper Presence.

And I realize once again,

I am not in control,

          but He is.)

O LORD,

May we start out this new week

and this new day,

seeking You in the hours,

the minutes, the moments.

Spread Your protection

                over us.

Pour Your glory

       over these situations.

Encourage us

       when we are weary.

Help us to turn to You

and make crying out to You

       our first response,

       not our last resort.

In You,

     we stake our lives.