August 3, 2009

• "I Have Need of Patient Endurance Today"

  Earlier this morning I posted the following prayer at tent of meeting, my other blog devoted to prayer for revival (see here). At tent of meeting we've been reflecting on Jesus' words to the seven churches in Revelation. When I began writing that prayer this morning, I hadn't intended to write such a personal prayer, but I decided to keep it as is. After I posted it, I also decided I would post it here as well. We have different callings and different gifts, but we are all God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to walk in the good works He has prepared for us. The good works He has for you will differ from the good works He has for me, yet we are all running the same race and we are all striving daily to finish well so we might not be disqualified and receive an incorruptible crown. We are all pressing on to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of us. Though my race will differ from yours, and yours from mine, one thing that we do have in common is this: we are all in need of patient endurance. Each of us will face trials, temptations, obstacles, tribulation and so forth to keep us from running as we ought and finishing the race marked out for us with joy. I pray God might use my words here to encourage you to patiently endure by His strength this day.
  

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  I've been thinking a lot about endurance in light of persecution. In the past week or so, I have really struggled with pressing on in what I know to be God's will for me, even though I've not undergone much persecution as we know it. As I have been reflecting on these things, I do know others struggle in much the same way, so today I have decided to offer up a more of a personal prayer under my other screen name, naphtali_deer.  ~Karen
  
  "I Have Need of Patient Endurance Today"
  
  And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.
  

  –Revelation 2:8-11

  
  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
  

  –Revelation 3:7-13

  Father,

  I read about the persecution the churches at Smyrna and Philadelphia were enduring and would endure.

  I have need of patient endurance today.

  I know that lately I have had much need of endurance. I have doubted. I have wanted to quit. I have looked at the task ahead and been overwhelmed. There are days I cannot see how You can take five loaves and two fish and feed a multitude. There are days when I've not wanted to keep prostrating myself to You, to keep praying to You on behalf of Your Church. There are days when I wonder why I should blow the trumpet since no one seems to be listening. There are days when I have wondered if it will have been worth it in the end. There are days when I have wondered why I am bothering.

  I have need of patient endurance today.

  Lord Jesus, I've never known any type of trials or persecution like these two churches had or would have. I've never known tribulation like many of the New Testament saints. I've never known anything close to the suffering You endured for me. Yet in my small sufferings and tribulation for You and Your Gospel I still have the same need of great and patient endurance. I have the same enemy You have and these churches have – the devil. He wants to steal, kill and destroy.

  He wants to steal my joy.
  He wants to kill my desire to follow You.
  He wants to destroy my vision.

  I have need of patient endurance today.

  Even though I've not yet undergone much outward suffering and persecution, my heart and mind and soul have struggled and I have been discouraged in many of the same ways they were. I have been wanting to give up, rather than being faithful unto death. I have found it difficult to patiently endure. I have almost let go of that heavenly crown. I have almost lost the will to be more than a conqueror. And yet You have sustained me. Your love compels me to press on. To continue to ministry of the Word and prayer. Yet daily, even moment by moment, I have need of patient endurance. I know I can slip at anytime. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. I confess this to You today.

  I have need of patient endurance today.

  Lord Jesus, You finished all the work the Father gave You to do. You did not shrink back from suffering. You delighted to do Your Father's will. You willingly offered Yourself up. You came not to be served but to be a servant. You endured the cross, despising the shame. How? For the joy set before You. And You continue on as a faithful high priest.

  May Your Spirit of love fill me and constrain me today.
  May Your Spirit of obedience fill me today.
  May Your Spirit of perseverance fill me today.
  May Your vision of a heavenly Kingdom fill me today.
  May Your Spirit of joy fill me today.

  I have need of patient endurance today.

  I look at Paul and Silas and the verbal and physical persecution they enduring, which was far greater than anything I have known for Your Name's sake and Your Gospel's sake:

  ...they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice. 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Acts 16:19-14

  How did they react to this persecution?

  25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God...

  They were praying and singing hymns to You, O God! They were joyful in prison

  In my littlest trials, I confess I have difficulty being joyful.
  In my littlest trials, I confess I have difficulty praising You.

  I have need of patient endurance today.
  I have need of Your joy today.

  I look at the Hebrew Christians who were persecuted for their faith:

  But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Hebrews 10:32-34

  Once again what do we see? We see joy there in the midst of persecution, suffering and plundering.

  How can I have that joy in the midst of persecution, suffering and plundering? How can I have joy in the midst of the spiritual battle? How can I have joy as I press on to lay hold of that for which You have laid hold of me? How can I have joy so I might be faithful unto death in the calling with which you have called me? How can I have such joy daily? How can I continue to persevere? How can I be more than a conqueror?

  In my littlest trials, I confess I have difficulty being joyful.
  In my littlest trials, I confess I have difficulty praising You.

  I have need of patient endurance today.
  I have need of Your joy today.

  In Hebrews 13 we read:

  So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

  And in Psalm 84 (NKJV) we read:

  Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
  They will still be praising You.

  Father, that is the secret of patient endurance in all circumstances: to go to Jesus and dwell with Him, to abide in Him. To remember my true home is not here on this earth but with You. I am but a pilgrim here. As I seek to abide in You while I walk in this world, I can praise You no matter what happens to me. As I seek to abide in You while I walk in this world, I can praise You no matter how I feel. Only as I abide in You and You in me can I have that same abiding and heavenly joy Paul and Silas and the Hebrew Christians had – a joy that transcends my circumstances and my feelings because it is joy that is rooted in You and in my relationship with You through Jesus Christ. Joy that will carry me through victoriously, as more than a conqueror. Joy that is rooted in You rather than worldly things, including the praise of men or earthly success. The things of this world will not endure. But You are everlasting. Jesus told us He had come that we might have joy and have it abundantly. That's the type of joy that continues to rejoice no matter what. That's the type of joy that allows us to offer up sacrifices of praise to God like Paul and Silas did, even after verbal and physical persecution and even while sitting in prison. That's the type of joy that allows us to offer up sacrifices of praise to God like the Hebrew Christians did, even after their property had been plundered. That's the type of joy that will allow me to continue to praise You and to press on even in the midst of my doubting. Help me to continue to dwell in Your house so I might ever praise You no matter what happens to me or how I feel.

  I have need of patient endurance today.
  I have need of Your joy today.
  
  Joy that is not rooted in how I feel.
  Joy that is not rooted in how others treat me.
  Joy that is not rooted in what others think of me.
  Joy that is not rooted in what I possess.
  Joy that is not rooted in how much success I attain.
  Joy that is not rooted in where I am.
  Joy that is not rooted in my current circumstances.
  Joy that is not rooted in this world.

  I have need of patient endurance today.
  I have need of Your joy today.

  Joy that goes beyond how I feel.
  Joy that goes beyond how others treat me.
  Joy that goes beyond what others think of me.
  Joy that goes beyond what I possess.
  Joy that goes beyond how much success I attain.
  Joy that is not rooted in where I am.
  Joy that goes beyond my current circumstances.
  Joy that is not rooted in this world.

  I have need of patient endurance today.
  I have need of Your joy today.

  Joy that is rooted in You and You alone. The only true joy Paul wrote about in Philippians 4:

  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  
  Father, help me to abide in Your Son and to be ever mindful that this world is not my home. Help me not to be surprised when persecution and trials come. Help me to have Your joy that will carry me through no matter what my circumstances are or my feelings might be. May I have know more and more the only true joy, that joy unspeakable and full of glory, which is rooted in You and You alone. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. You never change. Help me to continue to dwell in Your house so I might be ever joyful and might always praise You. I have much need of endurance. Lord Jesus, help me to abide in You, the true Vine so I might endure and bear much fruit and glorify You. Help me to abide in Your house so I might praise You always. Holy Spirit, fill me and strengthen me and uphold me to endure to the end for apart for I know that apart from You I can do nothing. Amen.

  I have need of patient endurance today.
  I have need of Your joy today.

  Brothers and sisters, please add your prayers here for patient endurance as the Spirit leads you.

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