Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of reverence and awe for Your holy name. We lift up Phaeron's prayer request to You, knowing that You are the God of all comfort and the source of our hope.
Lord, Your Word in Revelation 6:9-11 speaks of those who are martyred for their faith during the Tribulation. We trust in Your promise that these faithful ones will be given white robes and told to rest a little longer until the number of their fellow servants and brothers should be complete. We know that You have prepared a place for them in Paradise, where there is no more suffering or pain.
Father, we pray for strength and courage for all believers who face persecution and trials for their faith. May they be reminded of Your promise in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Help them to fix their eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, knowing that what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Lord, we also ask for Your peace that surpasses all understanding to guard the hearts and minds of those who are enduring hardships. As it is written in Philippians 4:6-7, may they not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present their requests to You.
We thank You, Father, for the assurance we have in Christ Jesus, that whether we live or die, we belong to You. As stated in Romans 14:8, "If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.