Lord, the world has changed dramatically within the last fifty years. What will happen in the next fifty years? History tells us it will not be pretty. Men are no less wicked today than they were in the days of Noah or in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Lord, even though we see radical change coming and the persecution of the Church, yet comfort us with Your word. Remind us first that we are blessed if we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when men insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Christ. Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they also persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Lord, we also know that you can bring revival. The gospel has no less power today than it did on the day of Pentecost. Thousands were saved. Lord, raise up preachers who can penetrate the heart and bone marrow of sinners. Raise up men with passion who will speak the truth.

Lord, we also remember how powerful You are. Lord, you can raise the dead from the grave. You can raise the sun to the heights of the sky each day. You can divide the sea for men to walk across on dry land. Lord, you can bring reformation into a land that has fallen into false religion. You changed the west. Lord, we still hope because we know the greatness of Your power. Bless your Church and hear the prayers of Your people.

Our Father, we are reminded that we are secure in Christ. Nothing can happen to us apart from Thy will. Whenever we are tempted, we know that You shall provide a way out of temptation.

Lord, help each of us to love Christ more. Help us to delight in the gospel. We so often undervalue the work of Christ. He was the Son of God and the Son of man. He was persecuted, even unto the point of death. Yet he was holy and innocent. He was our substitute. He was a sacrifice for us and all of our sins. He was perfect, a lamb without blemish. Apart from Him there is no other way to be saved. We are born to die, but the death of man has been conquered in the death of Christ. We are forgiven of our sins. We stand as the adopted children of God. We have an inheritance in the heavens not made of silver or gold, but more precious, an inheritance that is eternal and shall never pass away.

Lord, remind us that Jesus sits upon the throne of His Father. From there He rules as a King, and no longer should we view Him merely as the suffering servant.

Father, we do not always understand the purposes of Thy will. Mysterious are Thy ways and beyond our understanding. Sometimes, when we expect victory, we are given loss. Sometimes, when we expect to be healed, we are not healed. Sometimes, when we expect disaster, deliverance comes. Sometimes, when we expect failure, we are given success. Lord, if we knew your plans we would be as God Himself, but since we do not know, how dependent we are on You. How dependent we are on Your word. If Your word fails us, then Lord we are of all men, most to be pitied. We would have played our cards and we would have lost. We would be the fools and the men of the world would wise. Yea, Lord, where else can we go, for You have the words of eternal life. We have bet the house on You. Don't disappoint us. In the end, God's people will wear the crown of righteousness. In the end, God shall honor those who honor Him.