You should defend those who cannot help themselves. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. [Proverbs 31:8-9 (TLB)]

We were over 100 feet in the air, eight of us enclosed in a small gondola cabin for nine minutes. Instead of the usual chit chat about snow conditions, the man across from me spoke in a derogatory way about a certain group of people. The silence that followed his vitriol was deafening. All sorts of thoughts went through my head: do I ignore him or defend them, how should I do it and what should I say? I finally spoke, somewhat timidly, and was surprised when others joined me, including members of his own family. This man was lovingly and gently brought to task and, hopefully, enlightened just a bit. I spoke up that day but, unfortunately, there are many more times that I don’t.

Lord, forgive us for those times we’ve remained silent when we should have spoken. Forgive us for not trusting you to supply the words that need to be said. Show us how to depend not on our knowledge or rhetoric but on your divine assistance. Give us the words, the ability to say them gently and the sense to know when we should speak and when we should not.

“You must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!” [Jeremiah 1:7b-9 (NLT)]