Patient Teacher,
You take a simple staff
and turn it into a serpent and back again,
just to show that power belongs to You,
not to the hand that holds it.
You know my fears
the tongue that feels heavy,
the heart that feels unfit,
the mind rehearsing excuses.
Yet You promise to be with my mouth
and to give me the words.
You shape weakness into a vessel for Your strength.
Where obedience frightens me,
meet me on the road.
Where my house needs setting in order,
bring holy interruption
and remind me that covenant comes first.
You give me companions in this world to help walk along side each other helping carry the burdens for one another.
You weave even my reluctance
into the tapestry of Your mission.
When I fear the scowls of rulers
or the doubt of my own people,
anchor me in the fact that You are the One who sends.
Let every sign I carry point back to You,
not to me.
Teach me to trust
that You equip those You call,
and that obedience is never wasted
when the Sender is faithful.
In the name of Jesus,
the greater Deliverer,
who sends us with His Spirit and not alone,
Amen.