2 Timothy 2:11-13
This saying is trustworthy: Indeed, if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, because He cannot deny himself.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Through faith in you created by your Spirit, we have already died with you. So, in your resurrection, we, too, have been resurrected with everlasting life. Lord Jesus, you know how hard this life can be because you lived, suffered, and died here. You were harassed throughout your ministry and tormented by your enemies; you know what trouble is all about. At times you had been abandon by your friends as well, particularly during your trial when you could have used their support. We pray that you would give us the strength to remain faithful, to endure to the end with you. You have given us a promise that if we do, we will reign with you in heaven. Please give us the strength not to deny you. Out of love for you, we should want to follow you, but our sinful side gets in the way, and we have tendencies to hide in fear. Paul tells us you still remain faithful to us, even if we are faithless. So we ask that you would strengthen us with your word; so through faith, we always remain a part of your holy Church. Thank you for keeping us and not rejecting us. Amen.
Vicar Roger Emmons
We cannot change God’s love for us; we can only turn our backs on it. Then he still loves us, even though we are facing the wrong direction.