Prayer To Keep On Keeping On

 The days of the pandemic move along from one to the next with no real end in sight yet.  Today's challenge for us is to continue to do what is right, regardless of how things are around us. 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

Today's encouragement is that God is with us to help us do that when we find it difficult.  We have the example of Jesus who continued through misunderstanding, betrayal, arrest, torture, and cruel death on the cross – he did what was necessary for us.  He continued through the toughest of times and so He understands what we are going through.

So, let's ask for His help so we can continue to do what’s right today:

Heavenly Father, as we come to the close to another week of this pandemic we confess that we're a bit tired of it all and wishing it could end soon.  The prospect of more weeks with maybe more cases as weather cools and we do more things inside is hard to face. 

And so on this day we're asking you, Lord to help us to continue to do what is right even when we don't feel like it.  So many lives depend on that.  Help us to do all we can to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and others in the community.  

We see evidence of people questioning this and that and giving a hard time to folks just trying to uphold the rules and it stirs up things in us that make it a challenge to be calm, be kind, and be safe.  Today, we need Your strength and Your heart, God, if we are to encourage rather than condemn, lift up rather than tear down, and be all that You are asking of us today.

We're so grateful God that You work in all things for our good. We wish our circumstances could be different than what they are but we simply stand still today and acknowledge that You are God, that your are working in us, and that as we surrender to Your will, You will continue with us and will work in us until the transforming work of your love is fully realized in us. 

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.  Philippians 1:6

If you can put up with us - with all our ups and downs - certainly we want to give ourselves to standing with you and standing up for You today.  You are faithful and good on the good days and during the hardest times. 

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36

God, we're asking for the gift of endurance and perseverance to continue to do all that we should to limit or even eradicate this virus from our communities, but even more important, would you help us, in all our affairs, to continue to do Your will. 

Each of these days is a gift we have been given with an opportunity attached to it.  This virus has not stolen the opportunity of this day from us because it is something that You, God, give us and that You help us make the most use of. 

Help us to have eyes to see, the ability to recognize our part, and the willingness to meet today's challenges with energy, calmness, and kindness, trusting that when we do that, we will receive many blessings and more reward than we can imagine today.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

Whatever else we accomplish today, help us to continue to follow you, to continue to grow in your love, to continue to allow our hearts and minds to be shaped according to Yours, Lord Jesus.

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:6-7