His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 17:6 (ESV)
LORD, today I pray for Holy Spirit inspired courage. I know that I will be put in situations where I can attest to Your goodness and Your mercy, where I can give account to what I hold fast to be true concerning You. In this world it is not outsiders pressing against me not to declare my trust in You. No. Instead, it is those inner voices that tell me now is not the time, or that sharing my trust in You in this setting is not “politically correct”. They try to convince me that I will lose credibility or the respect of my peers, or that I may offend them if I mention You. When I succumb to those reasons, is it not cowardice on my part? Is it not me allowing my “reason” to fight my battles? Is it not me trusting in myself and instead of You?
Give me the courage to be willing to let folks know Who I stand for and with regardless of the situation. Help me not to be afraid of their faces or the consequences, but instead speak a word of peace, love, joy and comfort from You into the lives of all whom I encounter today. Help me to be a glorious, not obnoxious, witness to Your goodness, my words seasoned from on high, inspired by the blessed presence of You in my life. Let my words be sweet to the hearer (Proverbs 25:11) and healing to their soul (Proverbs 16:24). But most of all, I purpose today to lift You up, my Savior, that You might draw all unto Yourself giving them rest (John 12:32, Matthew 11:28). Use my tongue today, LORD, unrestrained and unharnessed, that Your Name might be glorified. Amen.