Acts 3:6-12  ⁶ But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”  ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  ⁸ Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.  ⁹ All the people saw him walking and praising God,  ¹⁰ and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  ¹¹ While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished.  ¹² When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

When we are spent, when we are feeling helpless, let us not forget that our power comes from the name of Jesus. He gives us the ability to do what we cannot do alone. He gives us the strength to stand up against powers that would hurt us and others. He gives us the compassion to give generously. He gives us the faith to see us through great difficulties. He gives us the joy to conquer our sorrow. He gives us the character to forgive when we have been hurt. He gives us peace and wholeness when we are broken. Let us be filled with wonder and amazement at what Jesus does for us and let us praise God.

Lord, you are with us through it all. Thank you for helping us be more than we can be on our own. Amen.