We read stories about brave folks who, back in Hitler’s time, risked their lives to protect others.
We may wish that had been the end of religious persecution, but we know better. There are still places where people of faith are on the run. We pray for them, for their safety, for their escape.
But let’s not forget to pray for those dear souls who give them a moment’s safe passage: a bit to eat, a place to sleep, a space to hide.
Lord, protect those who take risks to protect your persecuted people. Do to them as they do to others — be their safe shelter even as they provide safe shelter for others.
This puts me in mind of “Convoy Escort”, a quatrain by Kipling:
I was a shepherd to fools,
causelessly bold, or afraid.
They would not abide by my rules,’
yet they escaped – for I stayed.
Made me smile, Andrew. Don’t know that I’ve read this before (at least not since I’m old enough to properly understand it).