Dear Heavenly Father,

   You have given us a shield.

The shield is the essence of your truth and love,

given to us at birth.

We are humans that bear the trials of flesh

and humans endowed

with your spiritual shield within us.

   Life‘s journey is for each of us

to find the shield buried within.

We each have our own path.

Some paths take us through glorious gardens

adorned with flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors.

Some paths are arduous, rocky and steep.

They tear at our flesh.  

They numb our hearts.

They rob us of hope.

   In these times of despair,

we pray for courage and trust.

Your shield is within us.

It is not in the dreams and illusions of this world.

Help us to stay on the journey,

to fight the good fight,

to keep the faith,

to win the prize:

the shield.

Rejoice in the Lord always.