Endurance

As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birthpangs.
“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:1-14 

Endurance

Dear God, the Alpha and Omega
we are overwhelmed by the waves
uncontrolled virus and violence
the world is frightful and stormy.

We wonder where you are now
and tremble in our night beds
fearing the worst yet to come
while wishing freedom from restraint.

We have no muscles for faith
we have worried more about looks
forgotten the needs of all hearts
to find ourselves shaken with fear.

Help us to exercise our faith daily
give us the strength for endurance
help us to lift you love above all
make us faithful through the storm. Amen