On the morning of Epiphany, while crossing the kitchen to prepare breakfast and lunches, a whisper broke in.

Then a Light broke in.

"Be strong and courageous.”

Immediately I went to the passage...  "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I read the full passage from Joshua 1:1-9 over my Hannah (my daughter), Gord (my husband) and myself. 

We prayed and began the New Year together. I read it with my daughter, Kierianne, an hour later. What joy flooded my heart!

I believe this is for families, schools, educational institutions - all sectors of society...and the Bride of Christ, of course. It has been my prayer for many of you and your households last week.

May you and your families be strong and courageous as you move into this new, unknown journey, in the light of this week's and continual global events. Even so as God was with Moses, so he will be with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Only God can transform our hearts from fear to fearlessness, a fear of him.

Ute Carkner is a Minister of Spiritual Formation & Intercession at Outreach Canada. When she was a kid, Ute wanted to be a detective and as she grew into her teen years, she wanted to be a missionary nurse! One of Ute’s favourite part of her role is walking or sitting in communion with one another in the presence of our Holy God – words or no words. Anyone who knows Ute, knows she is passionate about prayer. She facilitates and participates in many prayer initiatives. One of Ute’s favourite verses is found in John 17:21 “I pray that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”