The Book of Common Courage: Prayers and Poems to Find Strength in Small Moments

by K.J. Ramsey

What is your only comfort to be courageous in life and in death? That everywhere I go, I belong —body and soul, in all my days, all my doubts, and even all my despair, and my coming death— to you, my Savior and my friend, Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, there is nothing in life and no manner of death that can separate me from your friendship. Everywhere I go, you go with me. You are always glad to be with me. Because you became like me, I can become like you. Because you felt fear, anger, and betrayal, even in my anguish, I can partake of your life. Because you were faithful to feel and trust, even in my fear, I can be faithful too. Your trust in the Father to work goodness and life re-creates my own. Your courage in the face of death has made the Father mine, the Spirit present, and my future secure. You have fully paid for all my sins and all my debts, with the precious currency of your own blood. Your broken body and spilt blood have set me free from the chains of evil. You see me with such tenderness and attentiveness that not even a hair can fall from my head outside of your care. Every detail of my body and soul belongs to you and is held with constant kindness in your heart. There is no hour of my life that is lived outside your care. No part of me will ever be lost. You are presently gathering up all the shattered pieces of me, together with all the broken pieces of this earth into a brilliant world that will never die. Every moment of my story is but a movement in your ...