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“Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction.”
— St. John of the Cross
//Catholic Company//
“You must make a sound and firm resolution to submit yourselves totally to His will and, with a lively and steadfast faith, to receive from Him what you have to do for love of Him. And in this (whatever may happen) to persevere with constancy to the very end.” — St. Angela Merici
//The Catholic Company//
DAY 12 | James 5:7-11
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. —James 5:11
A friend of a friend called me: “I don’t think I can do this anymore. Would God really want me to suffer like this, day after day, with no relief?” His illness was tormenting him, and he was looking for permission to end his life. He wondered if God would be angry with him.
Suffering is not God’s will. It is part of life in this broken world; God’s light has broken into the darkness, but we still long for the complete fulfillment of God’s plan. Jesus is coming again to restore everything. Meanwhile, life can be excruciatingly difficult, and we—as God’s people—are called to persevere. Hold on tightly to hope.
James reminds readers of the perseverance of the prophets and of Job, a man who suffered greatly when he lost all his children, all his possessions, and his health. Yet he did not lose hope or give up. God was there with him and eventually restored his possessions and gave him abundantly more.
The point of Job’s story is not that he regained possessions but that he persevered in his faith in God and that God demonstrates compassion and mercy.
This is the only reply I could give to the friend who was almost ready to give up: Your life is precious to God. Hang on until God says it’s time to come home.
Jesus, you know agony and suffering, and you empathize with us when we struggle to face yet another day of pain and uncertainty. May we feel your loving arms surround us as we push forward. Amen.
//Reframe Ministries//
“Free me from evil passions and heal my heart of all disorderly affections, that being healed and well purified in my interior, I may become fit to love, courageous to suffer and constant to persevere. Love is an excellent thing, a great good indeed, which alone maketh light all that is burdened and makes all that which is bitter sweet and savory. The love of Jesus is noble and generous; it spurs us on to do great things and excites us to desire always that which is most perfect.”— Thomas á Kempis, p. 89
//The Catholic Company//
“Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.”
— St. Philip Neri
//The Catholic Company//
“Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; at the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, as I must speak. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.”Colossians 4:2-6
//The Catholic Company//
“Even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” – Luke 11:8 NASB
Thomas Edison is considered one of history’s greatest inventors. Born on this day in 1847, he eventually held more than 1,000 patents for inventions with innovations ranging from the incandescent light bulb to the phonograph. Yet in his youth, he seemed destined for a life of failure.
One teacher told him that he lacked the intelligence to learn anything. He was fired from his first two jobs. He even failed as an inventor, making thousands of unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb before eventually succeeding. But his persistence paid off!
Many can relate to Edison’s story. Some can’t seem to succeed at anything, leaving a record of disappointment. Others have been told that their plans can’t work, that they don’t have the necessary abilities. When doors close, they give up. But some, like Edison, persevere and are rewarded.
To encourage persistence, Jesus told a story about a man who went to a friend at midnight, asking for three loaves of bread. But the door was shut, and the family was in bed. The friend’s response: “I cannot get up and give you anything” (v. 7). But the man would not give up. Because of his persistence, the friend eventually gave him everything he needed.
As Jesus taught, ask and it will be given to you. Knock, and the door will be opened. Seek and you will find (Matthew 7:7). Stay persistent in your prayers and petitions.
Father, I commit these issues to You: ________. I believe You for the answers. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Luke 11
//Inspiration Ministeries//