May 11, 2018 Friday of the 6th Week of Easter B

Acts of the Apostles 18:9-18

Psalm 47

John 16:20-23

“Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.”  Acts 18:9-10

Lord, we live in a world with a wide variety of religions and spiritual traditions.   Sadly, many people do not accept you as their Lord and Savior.   The same was true in Paul’s day.  This diversity can lead to conflict, even violence.  We just need to look to the Middle East for how much blood is shed over religious differences.  We are blessed in America to have freedom to openly live our beliefs.  However, this freedom is under attack.  Many work to silence your followers and to keep them behind our church doors.  Lord, you promised Paul that you were with him as he worked to spread the good news in Corinth.  You make the same promise to me today.  You know very well how I am challenged and urged to keep silent.  I pray today, dear Jesus, for myself and all true believers that we can be bold and confident in your divine help as we live the gospel in an unfriendly world.  I lift up all missionaries who risk everything to bring people to you.  I pray for our persecutors who do not know what they are doing.   Walk with me, Lord.  Amen.