Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12, ESV
Paul’s story is not a story that is filled with a lot of times for ease. He faced many struggles as he was often imprisoned. He faced stoning and was spirited out of a city to escape being killed. But he never was filled with hopelessness. He was confident in the promises of God even to death. In his trials and tribulations, he went to God in prayer. Prayer is the greatest tool we have been given. Prayer isn’t going to make the troubles all go away, but in them, we can find greater hope. Christians are not the only people who pray, but we are the only people who pray to the One true God. Our salvation and hope are not based on the works we have done or how we appease an angry God but on how a loving God entered into Creation in order to bring us salvation.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.