GENERAL TRIBULATION

[We all can think of a Christian sister or brother experiencing so much affliction they may not be able to pray for themselves. Here’s an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

PERMITTING OURSELVES TO BE DEMOTED

…FATHER, You have placed ____ in a difficult situation. Compel (him/her) to nurture faith so it does not decrease. Whatever would (he/she) do if (he/she) lost the grip (he/she) has on Your hand? Attend to (him/her) for (he/she) must seek to build (himself/herself) up in my most holy faith as (he/she) attempts to keep (himself/herself) in Your love (Jude 20,21).

FATHER, look down now on ____.   Even though (his/her) heart is prone to be in a state of upheaval, possibly not able to understand (his/her) present providence, nevertheless aid (him/her) to grasp the fact that (he/she) is continually with You. You do hold (his/her) right hand. Persist in Your guidance (Ps 73:21-24). (His/Her) flesh and (his/her) heart may fail, but You are (his/her) Rock and firm Strength and (his/her) Portion forever (Ps 73:26,27).

CHRIST has set (him/her) free from the power of sin and (he/she) has become a bondslave to You. Even as (he/she) suffers, (he/she) is reaping (his/her) own harvest and “its ingathering shall be holiness” Arthur S. Way (ref#38, p124, [Rom 6:22]). Because (he/she) has been born of You, You maintain a watchful guardianship over (him/her) and the pernicious one is unable to cause lasting damage. CHRIST’s divine presence within preserves (him/her) against the evil one (1 John 5:18).

Empower ____ to be cautious at all times, for (his/her) enemy continues to constantly seek to devour (him/her) (1 Pet 5:8). Strengthen (him/her) to withstand satan’s onslaught by being immovable in (his/her) faith (1 Pet 5:9). This (he/she) will be by permitting (himself/herself) to be demoted—by believing (himself/herself) of a lower state than in (his/her) own estimation. So move (him/her) to become contrite. Faith will be strong when (he/she) exhibits (his/her) weakness by putting (himself/herself) under Your mighty hand (1 Pet 5:6).