I've been thinking a lot about endurance in light of persecution. In the past week or so, I have really struggled with pressing on in what I know to be God's will for me, even though I've not undergone much persecution as we know it. As I have been reflecting on these things, I do know others struggle in much the same way, so today I have decided to offer up a more of a personal prayer under my other screen name, naphtali_deer.  ~Karen
"I Have Need of Patient Endurance Today"

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Father,

I read about the persecution the churches at Smyrna and Philadelphia were enduring and would endure.

I have need of patient endurance today.

I know that lately I have had much need of endurance. I have doubted. I have wanted to quit. I have looked at the task ahead and been overwhelmed. There are days I cannot see how You can take five loaves and two fish and feed a multitude. There are days when I've not wanted to keep prostrating myself to You, to keep praying to You on behalf of Your Church. There are days when I wonder why I should blow the trumpet since no one seems to be listening. There are days when I have wondered if it will have been worth it in the end. There are days when I have wondered why I am bothering.

I have need of patient endurance today.

Lord Jesus, I've never known any type of trials or persecution like these two churches had or would have. I've never known tribulation like many of the New Testament saints. I've never known anything close to the suffering You endured for me. Yet in my small sufferings and tribulation for You and Your Gospel I still have the same need of great and patient endurance. I have the same enemy You have and these churches have – the devil. He wants to steal, kill and destroy.

He wants to steal my joy.
He wants to kill my desire to follow You.
He wants to destroy my vision.

I have need of patient endurance today.

Even though I've not yet undergone much outward suffering and persecution, my heart and mind and soul have struggled and I have been discouraged in many of the same ways they were. I have been wanting to give up, rather than being faithful unto death. I have found it difficult to patiently endure. I have almost let go of that heavenly crown. I have almost lost the will to be more than a conqueror. And yet You have sustained me. Your love compels me to press on. To continue to ministry of the Word and prayer. Yet daily, even moment by moment, I have need of patient endurance. I know I can slip at anytime. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. I confess this to You today.

I have need of patient endurance today.

Lord Jesus, You finished all the work the Father gave You to do. You did not shrink back from suffering. You delighted to do Your Father's will. You willingly offered Yourself up. You came not to be served but to be a servant. You endured the cross, despising the shame. How? For the joy set before You. And You continue on as a faithful high priest.

May Your Spirit of love fill me and constrain me today.
May Your Spirit of obedience fill me today.
May Your Spirit of perseverance fill me today.
May Your vision of a heavenly Kingdom fill me today.
May Your Spirit of joy fill me today.

I have need of patient endurance today.

I look at Paul and Silas and the verbal and physical persecution they enduring, which was far greater than anything I have known for Your Name's sake and Your Gospel's sake:

How did they react to this persecution?

They were praying and singing hymns to You, O God! They were joyful in prison

I have need of patient endurance today.
I have need of Your joy today.

I look at the Hebrew Christians who were persecuted for their faith:

Once again what do we see? We see joy there in the midst of persecution, suffering and plundering.

How can I have that joy in the midst of persecution, suffering and plundering? How can I have joy in the midst of the spiritual battle? How can I have joy as I press on to lay hold of that for which You have laid hold of me? How can I have joy so I might be faithful unto death in the calling with which you have called me? How can I have such joy daily? How can I continue to persevere? How can I be more than a conqueror?

I have need of patient endurance today.
I have need of Your joy today.

In Hebrews 13 we read:

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

And in Psalm 84 (NKJV) we read:

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You.

Father, that is the secret of patient endurance in all circumstances: to go to Jesus and dwell with Him, to abide in Him. To remember my true home is not here on this earth but with You. I am but a pilgrim here. As I seek to abide in You while I walk in this world, I can praise You no matter what happens to me. As I seek to abide in You while I walk in this world, I can praise You no matter how I feel. Only as I abide in You and You in me can I have that same abiding and heavenly joy Paul and Silas and the Hebrew Christians had – a joy that transcends my circumstances and my feelings because it is joy that is rooted in You and in my relationship with You through Jesus Christ. Joy that will carry me through victoriously, as more than a conqueror. Joy that is rooted in You rather than worldly things, including the praise of men or earthly success. The things of this world will not endure. But You are everlasting. Jesus told us He had come that we might have joy and have it abundantly. That's the type of joy that continues to rejoice no matter what. That's the type of joy that allows us to offer up sacrifices of praise to God like Paul and Silas did, even after verbal and physical persecution and even while sitting in prison. That's the type of joy that allows us to offer up sacrifices of praise to God like the Hebrew Christians did, even after their property had been plundered. That's the type of joy that will allow me to continue to praise You and to press on even in the midst of my doubting. Help me to continue to dwell in Your house so I might ever praise You no matter what happens to me or how I feel.

I have need of patient endurance today.
I have need of Your joy today.

Joy that is not rooted in how I feel.
Joy that is not rooted in how others treat me.
Joy that is not rooted in what others think of me.
Joy that is not rooted in what I possess.
Joy that is not rooted in how much success I attain.
Joy that is not rooted in where I am.
Joy that is not rooted in my current circumstances.
Joy that is not rooted in this world.

I have need of patient endurance today.
I have need of Your joy today.

Joy that goes beyond how I feel.
Joy that goes beyond how others treat me.
Joy that goes beyond what others think of me.
Joy that goes beyond what I possess.
Joy that goes beyond how much success I attain.
Joy that is not rooted in where I am.
Joy that goes beyond my current circumstances.
Joy that is not rooted in this world.

I have need of patient endurance today.
I have need of Your joy today.

Joy that is rooted in You and You alone. The only true joy Paul wrote about in Philippians 4:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Father, help me to abide in Your Son and to be ever mindful that this world is not my home. Help me not to be surprised when persecution and trials come. Help me to have Your joy that will carry me through no matter what my circumstances are or my feelings might be. May I have know more and more the only true joy, that joy unspeakable and full of glory, which is rooted in You and You alone. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. You never change. Help me to continue to dwell in Your house so I might be ever joyful and might always praise You. I have much need of endurance. Lord Jesus, help me to abide in You, the true Vine so I might endure and bear much fruit and glorify You. Help me to abide in Your house so I might praise You always. Holy Spirit, fill me and strengthen me and uphold me to endure to the end for apart for I know that apart from You I can do nothing. Amen.

Lord Jesus You spoke these words to the church in Smyrna:

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

Then we read of Your work for us in Hebrews 2:

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Lamb of God, You willingly suffered for us. You humbled Yourself, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, You became a servant, took on the form of flesh, became obedient to Your Father in all things, even unto death, death on the cross, the cruelest and most ignominious form of death ever conceived. You never sinned. You hung on the cross. You chose to become a curse for us so we might be saved from the curse of the law and be made righteous, and be adopted into Your family. Because You suffered and died for us, we are now Your brothers and sisters! How amazing we are joint heirs with You and that You are not ashamed of us! Yet part of being in Your family, part of our godly heritage is that we will suffer persecution. We should not think this strange, yet some of us do. Throughout Church history, men and women and boys and girls have suffered for Your Name's sake and for the Gospel's sake, yet now many of us have a taste of freedom and we think such suffering to strange and we even try to avoid it. Should we not being willing to taste suffering and even death for Your sake? You suffered and died for us? Should we not welcome suffering and even death? Not to seek it, no, yet to trust You in it if suffering and persecution or even death should come. May we be ready to enter into it, to willingly submit ourselves to our Father's will for us and to entrust ourselves to our Father's care as You did. Can we not trust our Father as Your trusted Him? Does not Your Spirit dwell in us to remind us we are the children of God, so we can trust our Father as You trusted Him? Is not our Father the sovereign and almighty God who sits enthroned above? May Your Spirit dwell in us to strengthen and uphold us through any trial and persecution, so we might stand firm and steadfast and immovable in our labor for You. We know our labor for You is not in vain, even if that labor results in suffering and death. We know that You suffered in every possible way we might suffer; certainly we need never think You will not be sufficient to strengthen us as You call us to suffer for You. You were tempted in every way we are and yet without sin; therefore You are able to help us when we are tempted and will bring us through victoriously, as more than conquerors. No, You do not promise our bodies will be preserved, but we do know that You will certainly preserve our souls. Men may persecute us or even kill us because we stand for You and for Your Gospel. They may kill our bodies, but we need not fear the first death. You tasted death for us so we will not be hurt by the second death. We will certainly be delivered from all our afflictions and all our persecutors. O, sovereign Lord and gracious God and mighty Spirit, give us strength to endure in time of trial and tribulation. Many of us, including myself, have not known great times of trial and tribulation. We have not really known persecution. Yet let not any of us shrink back from any suffering You might choose to allow in our life. Help us to be ready to enter into suffering. We know You are trustworthy. We know we can trust You not only in times of prosperity and freedom, but we can trust You should bring persecution and oppression. Should You deem we are to suffer for Your Name's sake, help us to be ready to enter into suffering. How weak is our faith when we can only trust You when things are going well. Strengthen our faith and the faith of Your Church. Make us bold by Your Holy Spirit. We know You are seated at the right hand of the Father. You are our surety. You are a priest forever. And not only that but we know You are able to sympathize with our weaknesses. What a wonderful Savior You are! You were God, yet You became like us in every respect, yet never sinned, so You are indeed a merciful and faithful high priest. You were able to make propitiation for our sins, yes, but, praise be to God, You are also able to help us daily while we are tempted because You suffered being tempted. You are able to help us in the midst of our temptations. You are able to help us should You call us to suffer for You. You stand at the throne of grace as our representative and our advocate, ready to minister mercy and grace to us in our time of need, including times of persecution. You ever live to intercede for us. You stand with us wherever we are. You are in the midst. You have not left us orphans. You Spirit has come to abide with us forever. You are our Good Shepherd. You care for us is constant. We have no doubt You will be with us through any persecution or suffering that might come our way. May we be ready to enter into suffering should You call us to do so.

Lord Jesus, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You and to look to the joy set before us as You did. You are our great high priest so we know You hear our cries and we know You are near to us when we are afflicted and brokenhearted. We know for certain we have a life beyond the grave because when You rose from the dead, You conquered the grave once and for all. We need not fear the first death. We need not fear what men can do to us. Yet we confess we are afraid, yet You have told us not to be afraid. Our Father, You have told us we are precious to You and You care for us and Your care for us is constant. There is no place we can go that Your eye is not upon us. There is no place we can go that Your ear does not hear our cries. When we look on You, Lord Jesus, we can be bold. Just as Peter was bold to walk on the water so long as He kept His eyes on You, we can be bold so long as we keep our eyes on You. You are the author and finisher of our faith. You are the firstfruits. Even now we are seated in heavenly places with You. Even though we may be afflicted and troubled and crushed in this life, we will never be condemned because You stood condemned for us. Nothing whatsoever can separate us from our Father's love for us because He redeemed us with Your precious blood. O Jesus, You took the punishment we deserved, so we might have peace with God. We are wholly undeserving of Your love. May we be ready to lay down our lives for Your Kingdom as You laid down our lives for us so we might enter Your Kingdom. May we be ready to pour out our lives even unto death for You. Is that not what You did for us? You held nothing back but gave all for us. How little You have asked of most of us. Help us to entrust ourselves to You at all times. You are trustworthy. You are faithful and true. You will never forsake Your children. Should suffering and persecution or even death come upon us, may we be able to rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for Your Name and not shrink back from it. May we be able to follow You steadfastly wherever You send us. You set Your face steadfastly to Jerusalem. Should we not do likewise? May we not count our lives dear to ourselves but count You dearer than our lives. We love You, Jesus. Help us to love You more. You suffered for us. Help us to be ready to enter into suffering for the sake of Your Name and for the Gospel. May we not count our lives dear to ourselves. May You become dearer to us each day, Lord Jesus, dearer than our own lives.

Amen.