Deus Misereatur

  Savior, your servant Paul once wrote words that are full of hope, wrapped up with thoughts that are hard for us to get our hearts around; “ Through [Christ] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God .” And for that, Lord Jesus, we are ever and always grateful. But then Paul went on: “ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope .” This, Lord, is where we often stumble. Rejoicing in our sufferings? And yet you show us here that our sufferings are part of our flourishing with endurance, character building and hope. O dear Jesus, change our hearts and outlook so that we can rejoice in suffering to these ends. And be with those who are suffering right now (…). May they see themselves growing with endurance, character and hope. Hope! Hope that does not put to shame, because the Father’s love has been pou...