A prayer based on Revelation 22

<aside> 🙏🏻 Father, we long for that day when your Son will return. As we look at the world we see all the sin and evil and suffering and injustice and death that is present, and we long for it to end. We want your name to hallowed. We want your kingdom to come. We want your will to be done here on earth as it done now in heaven. We want to see Jesus face to face and become like Him. We join in with the prayer of the church, “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” Come now we plead. We thank you that we can be certain that He will return, because you have promised this in your Word that is trustworthy and true.

Lord, our hearts are filled with joy as we consider what awaits us when it comes. To have the right to go through the gates into the heavenly city and to eat from the tree of life. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us. The security, the intimacy, the refreshment and satisfaction, the happiness and delight that will be ours. And with the curse gone, all the struggles we experience in this life over. We don’t deserve this. We are sinners. It is only because of Jesus we can have this hope. It is only because of Him that we can enter and enjoy life in the new creation. Thank you that His perfect righteousness covers us. Thank you that He blood has washed away our sins. We praise you for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that has saved us.

And we pray for His ongoing grace to help us live as those who are ready for His return. Help us to believe all that your Word says and to keep it. Give us the power and strength to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. If our hearts are cold towards Him, set them ablaze with love for Him. Forgive us for all the times we stumble and fall and let our Lord down. Keep us in your love so that we persevere so that when He returns we are found faithful to Him.

We also pray Lord Jesus for your grace to speak. To not keep your Word sealed up. To make it known. So that others may hear the good news of what you have done to save sinners, and how by faith can be brought out of the kingdom of darkness and in your kingdom. Because we know that when you return there will be a division. Not everyone will pass through the gates into the heavenly city. There will be those outside who will miss out. Just like it was in the days of Noah when your judgment came upon the earth, and those outside the ark perished, so will those outside the city. We pray for that many who are heading for this fearful eternity will turn from their sin and put their trust in you to rescue them. That they who are thirsty will come and drink freely of the water of life.

So as we wait for your coming, may we seek to obey everything you have commanded us. When we are tempted to take away from it, especially when your Word is at odds with the culture around, help us to not doubt or reject what you have spoken. When new teaching comes along that sounds attractive may we not be drawn to or deceived by it. Because know that those who keep God’s Word will be blessed when Jesus returns.

Amen.

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