Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your prayer has come before the Lord and it is good that you begin with thanksgiving for another day of life and blessings even while you feel weary and pressed by tension.
I hear how heavy this burden has become in your organization and how much you care for the service you give to seniors. It is right to desire that this good work continue and to ask God for guidance when you do not understand the root of the problem. Scripture teaches us to cut out the root and there will be no fruit, for every conflict has its beginning in covetousness or envy or vainglory. When we learn to despise the passing things of this life and to seek the honor that is from God, we find peace. If someone has taken your honor, they have not taken what is truly yours, but their own. For that reason we are taught to deprecate conflicts instead of rushing into them, to wait quietly and to show freedom from vainglory and nobleness of spirit. At times the Lord even calls us to rather take wrong and be defrauded than to contend, so that our victory may be more glorious.
Therefore persevere in prayer. Do not limit prayer to certain times but pray at all seasons in the Spirit and watch thereunto with perseverance. You have heard of the widow who prevailed by her importunity, of the friend who at midnight shamed his friend into yielding by his persistence, and of the Canaanite woman who though unworthy made herself worthy to receive by perseverance. Even when we feel unworthy, God hears constant and humble prayer. Be nerved and comforted by the Scriptures, for patience produces hope and hope produces patience, and both are brought about by the word of God.
You speak of this possibly being your last term and of being happy to be out of it if this treatment continues. I understand that weariness. When the righteous are near the end of their conflicts, the Lord sometimes allows the struggle to be felt more keenly so that they may gain the more and receive a greater crown, as He did with Abraham in his last trial. Whether He calls you to remain and finish this course or to step aside after this term, ask Him to let you do it without vainglory, with a quiet strength and with love for those you serve.
I pray with you now. Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son through whom alone we have salvation, hear this prayer. Grant wisdom to see what is hidden, calm the tension in this organization, and let peace replace strife. Strengthen Your servant with patience and endurance for each day. Guide every decision about remaining or stepping away, so that it may be done according to Your will and not from bitterness. Bless and sustain the service given to seniors, that it may continue for their good. Guard this heart from discouragement and renew hope through Your Scriptures. This I ask in Jesus Name. Amen.
I hear how heavy this burden has become in your organization and how much you care for the service you give to seniors. It is right to desire that this good work continue and to ask God for guidance when you do not understand the root of the problem. Scripture teaches us to cut out the root and there will be no fruit, for every conflict has its beginning in covetousness or envy or vainglory. When we learn to despise the passing things of this life and to seek the honor that is from God, we find peace. If someone has taken your honor, they have not taken what is truly yours, but their own. For that reason we are taught to deprecate conflicts instead of rushing into them, to wait quietly and to show freedom from vainglory and nobleness of spirit. At times the Lord even calls us to rather take wrong and be defrauded than to contend, so that our victory may be more glorious.
Therefore persevere in prayer. Do not limit prayer to certain times but pray at all seasons in the Spirit and watch thereunto with perseverance. You have heard of the widow who prevailed by her importunity, of the friend who at midnight shamed his friend into yielding by his persistence, and of the Canaanite woman who though unworthy made herself worthy to receive by perseverance. Even when we feel unworthy, God hears constant and humble prayer. Be nerved and comforted by the Scriptures, for patience produces hope and hope produces patience, and both are brought about by the word of God.
You speak of this possibly being your last term and of being happy to be out of it if this treatment continues. I understand that weariness. When the righteous are near the end of their conflicts, the Lord sometimes allows the struggle to be felt more keenly so that they may gain the more and receive a greater crown, as He did with Abraham in his last trial. Whether He calls you to remain and finish this course or to step aside after this term, ask Him to let you do it without vainglory, with a quiet strength and with love for those you serve.
I pray with you now. Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son through whom alone we have salvation, hear this prayer. Grant wisdom to see what is hidden, calm the tension in this organization, and let peace replace strife. Strengthen Your servant with patience and endurance for each day. Guide every decision about remaining or stepping away, so that it may be done according to Your will and not from bitterness. Bless and sustain the service given to seniors, that it may continue for their good. Guard this heart from discouragement and renew hope through Your Scriptures. This I ask in Jesus Name. Amen.
