Wednesday, May 12, 2021
A Prayer for Times of Tribulation
When you see the desolating abomination standing where he should not [let the reader understand], then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, [and] a person on a housetop must not go down or enter to get anything out of his house, and a person in a field must not return to get his cloak . . . Be watchful!
These are words that are often construed by fundamentalists to predict the idea of rapture, of the faithful being taken into God’s presence suddenly while the unfaithful are left behind. Here Jesus speaks words of warning, but what do they really mean?
God says: You worry and fuss, you compare yourselves with others, and you focus on the minutiae of your day while you neglect The Word. When fear begins to overtake you, remember that I want to bring each of you to me, even those of you who have much to account for. Keep in mind that you are joy to me . . . and I want to be joy to you. Remember that I find joy in you . . . and I want you to find joy in me.
And so we pray with the words of the psalmist.
Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God!
Remind us, God – when we are stressed – that your hope heals many wounds.
How great your wonders and your plans for us!
Remind us, God – when we are tired – that you care us for each moment of the day and night.
There is none who can be compared with you.
Remind us, God – when we are sad – that you are our greatest champion.
O, that I could make them known and tell them!
Remind us, God – when we are worried – that you suffer with us through all misfortune.
But they are more than I can count!
Remind us, God – when we finally come to rest in you – that your love counters all tribulation.
For interesting insight into the English expression, “head for the hills!” go to: http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/80681/does-make-for-the-hills-still-hold-currency-as-an-idiom
For further information on the idea of the Rapture, visit: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rapture-the
Image from: http://www.christiansciencechicago.org/self-sustaining-joy/
The Noontimes 
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