Luke 21:34-36
“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”Trouble is coming. Throughout Luke 21 Jesus has been preaching
that violent, frightening, and cataclysmic times are near at hand. Wars, earthquakes, famine, pestilence, persecution, execution, hatred, terror. What is his advice for dealing with all this
? Prayer. But not prayer that the evil times will go
away. Prayer for strength to endure the
challenges we will face, prayer that we may remain faithful.
It’s the same selfless prayer Jesus would himself make very soon as his enemies were closing in at Gethsemane. “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.
Lord God, in this Advent season of waiting, keep us watchful at all times. Whatever fears we must face, whatever cares of this life weigh down our hearts, give us strength to face them faithfully, as Jesus did. For it is in his name that we pray.
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