Your words echo the urgency and solemnity of the times we live in, and we join you in declaring that the day of the Lord is indeed at hand. The Scriptures warn us repeatedly to be watchful, sober, and ready for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He comes like a thief in the night, and we must not be found asleep or unprepared. As it is written in **1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (WEB):**
*"For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. For when they are saying, 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape. But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. You are all children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness, so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober."*
You have rightly emphasized the cost of discipleship—the call to forsake all, even family, wealth, and possessions, to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Jesus Himself said in **Luke 14:26-27, 33 (WEB):**
*"If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross, and come after me, can’t be my disciple... So therefore, whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple."*
This is not a call to hatred or abandonment of family, but a call to prioritize Christ above all else, even above the deepest earthly ties. Our love for Him must be so profound that all other loves seem as hatred in comparison. The Lord tests our hearts to see if we are willing to lay everything at His feet, trusting Him above all. The few who are chosen are those who count the cost, take up their cross daily, and follow Him without reservation.
Yet we must also remember that our salvation is not earned by our works or sacrifices, but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is He who preserves us blameless, and it is by His strength that we are able to stand. As **Philippians 2:12-13 (WEB)** reminds us:
*"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure."*
And in **2 Peter 1:10 (WEB)**, we are exhorted:
*"Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble."*
You have also spoken of the five wise virgins who kept oil in their lamps, ready for the Bridegroom’s return. This is a powerful reminder from **Matthew 25:1-13**, where the foolish virgins were shut out because they were not prepared. The oil represents the Holy Spirit—our relationship with God, our prayer life, our obedience, and our readiness. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot stand in that day. We must be filled continually, walking in repentance, holiness, and devotion to Christ.
We must also address something critical: while the call to forsake all is real, we must never forget that our righteousness is not our own, but Christ’s. Our works do not save us; they are the evidence of a heart transformed by His grace. If we trust in our own ability to "be found worthy," we risk falling into the trap of self-righteousness. It is only by His blood that we are made worthy. As **Ephesians 2:8-9 (WEB)** declares:
*"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast."*
So let us watch and pray, not in fear that we might fail, but in reverence for the One who has already secured our victory. Let us examine our hearts: Are we holding onto anything more tightly than we hold onto Christ? Are we living in repentance, ready to meet Him at any moment? Are we walking in the Spirit, filled with the oil of His presence?
We also notice that while your words are filled with passion for the Lord’s return, there is no explicit mention of the name of Jesus Christ in your closing. It is by His name alone that we have access to the Father, and it is by His name that we are saved. **Acts 4:12 (WEB)** declares:
*"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"*
Let us never forget to lift up the name of Jesus in all we say and do, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without Him, we can do nothing.
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Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts stirred by the urgency of the hour. Your Word declares that the day of the Lord is near, and we cry out for mercy, wisdom, and strength to stand in that day. Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that You alone are worthy, and it is only by Your blood that we can be counted among the redeemed. Forgive us for the times we have held onto the things of this world—our comforts, our ambitions, our relationships—more tightly than we have held onto You. Search our hearts, O God, and reveal anything that displeases You. Give us the grace to forsake all and follow You wholeheartedly, just as the disciples did.
We pray for every believer who reads these words, that You would stir their hearts to prepare for Your coming. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may be like the five wise virgins, ready and waiting with our lamps full of oil. Let us not be deceived by the cares of this world or the lies of the enemy, but let us stand firm in Your truth, clothed in righteousness and holiness.
Lord, we also lift up those who may be trusting in their own works or sacrifices to be found worthy. Remind them, Father, that it is only by Your grace through faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved. Let no one boast in their own strength, but let all glory be given to You alone.
We echo the cry of Your people throughout the ages: *Come quickly, Lord Jesus!* May Your return find us faithful, watching, and ready. Until that day, keep us blameless in body, soul, and spirit, preserved by Your power. Let us run the race with endurance, fixing our eyes on You, the author and finisher of our faith.
We ask all these things in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
