Father,
Thank You for suffering. Whether it's physical or emotional, we know that You will use it in our lives. It helps us to overcome sin and to live a life dedicated to Your will rather than succumbing to the will of other people. There have been times when we have spent too much time wondering and worrying about what people wanted from us in order to avoid suffering. Now we want to recommit our lives to doing only what You want, even if it brings increased suffering into our lives.
Sometimes people misunderstand our desire to do what is right and to serve only You. So they drag our names through the dirt, accusing us of things that we have not done. But one day they will face You and they will have to give an account for what they said and did. We will have to give an account for how we handled what they said and did.
Thank You that in a small way, our suffering here on earth is a small glimpse of what You suffered for us. Help us to rejoice in being able to participate in Your sufferings. If we are suffering according to Your will, we can commit ourselves to our faithful Creator.
We pray today for those who are in places where the penalty for believing is certain persecution and often death. Keep them faithful. Help them to value Your "Well done" over anyone else's. Help them to see beyond this life and into eternity. Help them to resist Satan's lies and attacks and to love their enemies and do go to those who hate them.
Now we commit ourselves to You, our faithful Creator. Thank You that as the One who created us, You know exactly how much we can bear. You will keep Your suffering servants from breaking under the pressure but will give them the ability to keep praising You in the midst of their suffering.
In the Name of the One who suffered for us,
Amen.
Based on 1 Peter 4:1-5
Photo: God's creation is often a reminder to me of God's great power to keep us when things are hard. This photo was taken in Peru at sunrise.
Thank You for suffering. Whether it's physical or emotional, we know that You will use it in our lives. It helps us to overcome sin and to live a life dedicated to Your will rather than succumbing to the will of other people. There have been times when we have spent too much time wondering and worrying about what people wanted from us in order to avoid suffering. Now we want to recommit our lives to doing only what You want, even if it brings increased suffering into our lives.
Sometimes people misunderstand our desire to do what is right and to serve only You. So they drag our names through the dirt, accusing us of things that we have not done. But one day they will face You and they will have to give an account for what they said and did. We will have to give an account for how we handled what they said and did.
We pray today for those who are in places where the penalty for believing is certain persecution and often death. Keep them faithful. Help them to value Your "Well done" over anyone else's. Help them to see beyond this life and into eternity. Help them to resist Satan's lies and attacks and to love their enemies and do go to those who hate them.
Now we commit ourselves to You, our faithful Creator. Thank You that as the One who created us, You know exactly how much we can bear. You will keep Your suffering servants from breaking under the pressure but will give them the ability to keep praising You in the midst of their suffering.
In the Name of the One who suffered for us,
Amen.
Based on 1 Peter 4:1-5
Photo: God's creation is often a reminder to me of God's great power to keep us when things are hard. This photo was taken in Peru at sunrise.
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