By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our lyres. For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

When I give in to the fear that someone will ridicule y faith, isn't that a form of captivity? Isn't that a set of manacles that the Evil One has forged and clamped on me to prevent my witness? A straitjacket of shame to tie my tongue? Fill me with boldness, Lord, boldness to declare Truth and Love and Mercy and Grace. Boldness to declare that You died for all sinners while we were yet in our sin. Boldness to declare that You hate sin so much You gave Your life to absolve me of all sin. Give me boldness, Lord.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 96

Mid-day: 119:49-56

Evening: Psalm 22

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.