Presence

“I stand at the door and knock,” says the Lord. (Revelation 3:20). What a wonderful privilege that the Lord of all creation desires to come to me. I welcome His presence.

Freedom

Many countries are at this moment suffering the agonies of war. I bow my head in thanksgiving for my freedom. I pray for all prisoners, captives and those suffering as a result of war.

Consciousness

As I talk to You, O God,
help me to grow in appreciation of the gifts of communication.
Grant that I will speak out for those who have no voice
and always have a kind word for those in need.

The Word of God

²⁰“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.^{, 21}Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it, ²²for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written. ²³Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; ²⁴they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the times of the nations are fulfilled.

²⁵“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. ²⁶People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”^,

Inspiration

This is a picture of doom and gloom, of destruction and devastation. Jerusalem will be destroyed and the people scattered. We pray that in such difficult situations with the destruction of the passing world, that we may hold on to what endures, relying on the Lord to provide what we truly need.

Many become concerned about the second coming of Jesus, but the real challenge is to accept his first coming and the reason for it. In the midst of our difficulties, we are invited to stand up, to raise our heads. Lord, may we draw assurance from you that our liberation is drawing near, and that you come to bring life, love and freedom.

Conversation

I begin to talk to Jesus about the piece of scripture I have just read.
What part of it strikes a chord in me?
Perhaps the words of a friend, or some story I have heard recently, or some experience,
will slowly rise to the surface of my consciousness.
If so, does this memory throw light on what the scripture passage may be trying to say to me?

Conclusion

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Amen