Heavenly Father,
In His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught so profoundly about the futility of worrying. But sometimes life can get so oppressive that it just gets hard to stay hopeful. Many have committed suicide because trying to hang on gets worn out. When endurance has depleted, they feel it's their only option.
Jesus said in His sermon, “Do not worry about your life, because your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” But sometimes it takes so long for our prayers to be answered that we are long past worry, and are drenched in hopelessness.
However, I recall the prophet Isaiah’s encouragement that says, "Those who wait on the LORD shall have their strength renewed; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
Father, when we’re feeling that low, and hopelessness is trying to set in, I pray that You will renew and restore hope and faith and endurance. Lord, let us never give up or lose assurance in Your faithfulness. Let us mount up with wings like an eagle. Let us run and never get tired. Let us walk and never grow weak.
I recall the passage of Scripture where Jesus was on His knees in agony there on the Mount of Olives. Praying earnestly and sweating profusely He prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then a heavenly angel appeared to Him, and strengthened Him. Jesus went on to bear the cross and said before He died, “It is finished.”
It is written in Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to Your throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our times of need.”
O Father, when life if giving us a beat down and our strength and endurance is decreasing, please remember that day on the Mount of Olives, and renew our endurance. Help us bear our cross to the finish and not forget that You will never leave, nor forsake us. In Jesus’s name we humbly ask and pray. Amen.
To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove