A Prayer for Courage

God who told Joshua again and again, Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid (Joshua 1:9) — say it once more, to me, today. I do not feel brave. But David did not feel like a giant-killer when he reached into the brook for five smooth stones (1 Samuel 17:40). You shut the lions' mouths for Daniel in the den (Daniel 6:22) and you have not run out of mercies since. You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18); cast mine out tonight. Be with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9). Amen.