Living God -
May our hearts not fail when we encounter those who defy You.
May we remember Your saving mercies from before and trust those saving mercies to be present to us now - that You will be with us as we go forth.
Give us the courage to remove the swords and armors that prevent us from walking. Help us to trust the talents and gifts You plant within us even though others may perceive them to be unworthy sticks fit for dogs.
The world presents us with swords and spears and javelins, but You do not save by those weapons. You save with the unexpected and the vulnerable, so all the earth may know that You are God.
In the name of the One who owns our battles, we pray.
Amen.