Jesus said, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." ... Luke 12:32

This Bible passage is the first line from the Gospel reading for Sunday, August 8. It seems significant to me that in the week when we hear on the news and read in our papers about raised terror alerts and increased security around financial and government institutions, we arrive in church and the first words we hear from Jesus are "Don't be afraid". It is a stunning reminder that God's ways are not the world's ways and God's kingdom is not of this world alone. Rather, resting in the promises of God given to us in Jesus Christ, we have faith in the face of fear and hope in the face of hopelessness. Whether the terror alert is green, blue, yellow, orange or red, our calling is the same -- to actively live out our faith in the One who gives us life.

The following prayer, used in our Matins (morning prayer) and Vespers (evening prayer) services from the Lutheran Book of Worship is one I often pray:

Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Contributed by Pastor Tracie
Published Sunday August 8, 2004
Week 37 of Liturgical Year C