Fiery Ordeal

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.1 Peter 4:12-14

Father, merciful God,

We can become discouraged over our children and families. We can be harsh and dismissive when we approach them about Jesus. Some of them are not serving You and they are angry or cold to us. While we trust You with their eternal lives, it hurts.

The chasm between us causes us to grieve. Separation and isolation wear us down. We blame ourselves; we try and find a solution or a way to heal the wounds.

Yet, You told us to be ready for the fiery ordeals that will test us. You told us to rejoice, but that it feels strange to thank You for the suffering. You told us to rejoice as we share in the sufferings of Christ, it will bring us immense joy when His glory is revealed. We are blessed because Your Spirit rests on us.

Help us Lord to praise You in the pain. Show us the glory of suffering with Christ and let us know it is only a tiny glimpse of His pain. Give us the strength to endure the desolation of persecution with joy.

We pray for them, we pray for ourselves and we praise You in all things.

Bless Israel with peace and give Jerusalem the joy of knowing the Christ, remove the blinders and let them know the salvation of the Lord.

We pray for our nation, and our desire is that we will endure the insults instead of turning on Israel. Bless us with the strength to never waver.

In Christ alone