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"I am with you
When the light is born,
When the darkness grows,
And when you are alone,
And when you are surrounded by a crowd.
I am with you."  Rumi

Sometimes the presence of another is an inspiration to courage, and for those who seek to follow the Divine way, the presence of God, the encouragement of God, the love of God, and the companionship of God is always with us. Through the ages those who have followed the way of Christ have been inspired and uplifted to bravery, even to facing death, by a deep knowledge of the presence of God with them. We too seek inspiration, solace, and courage from the God within, beyond, between, and around us. 

Scripture

1 GOD is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 GOD makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3 GOD revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for their Name's sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those
who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of GOD for ever.

Psalm 23. 

Inclusive Language Psalter: A New Gender-Inclusive Adaption of the Book of Psalms, Based on the 1979 Book of Common Prayer Text (Version for Congregational Use)
Edited and adapted by Adam Waddell, Hannah Bowman, the Rev. K.D. Joyce, and the Rev. Bailey Pickens

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Artwork - Latimore, Kelly. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57111 [retrieved April 10, 2025]. Original source: Kelly Latimore Icons, https://kellylatimoreicons.com/.