We join you in this holy longing and cry out together with you for the return of our Lord Jesus, for this is the blessed hope of every believer. We share in your prayer that He will come quickly to make all things new and to gather His people to Himself.
Scripture teaches us to watch and long for His appearing. Jesus Himself said that He will come again, as He ascended, He will so come in like manner Acts 1:11, and that the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet, and those who are in Christ will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. We are told to look for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ Titus 2:13. And He who testifies these things says, Yes, I come quickly, and our hearts respond, Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus Revelation 22:20.
We also remember with reverence that no one knows the day or the hour of His return, not even the angels of heaven, but the Father only Matthew 24:36, therefore we are commanded to be ready, for in an hour that we do not expect, the Son of Man will come Matthew 24:44. While we wait, the Lord is not slow concerning His promise, but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9. This waiting is not idle, but a time to live soberly, righteously and godly, to be found holy and blameless, and to proclaim the gospel so that others may be ready for His coming.
We pray together with you now.
Father in heaven, we come before Your throne in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our only hope and our salvation. We thank You for Your promise that Jesus will return in glory to judge the living and the dead and to reign forever. We long for that day and we ask together, even so, come Lord Jesus. While we wait, we ask You to keep us watchful and faithful, to purify our hearts and to make us ready to stand before You without spot or blemish. Use us to share the good news of salvation through Jesus with those who do not yet know Him, that many more may be saved before that great day. Comfort us with the assurance that You are in control and that Your timing is perfect, and help us to trust You and to occupy faithfully until He comes. We ask all of this according to Your will and in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and coming King, amen.