Lord, my heart longs for a better country, a heavenly one. It is with much tribulation that the path to heaven is laid out before me. It is sweet consolation to my soul that I am privileged to walk in Your footsteps, Jesus, because You are the Way. Let the furnace of affliction in mind or body refine me into Your likeness. By the power of Your Spirit, Lord, enable Your servant to endure that which has been ordained. For You did not promise Your child freedom from sickness and the pain of mortality. You did not leave a legacy free from struggle. The challenges I face have been pre-ordained just as the stars which sparkle against the darkness of night were fashioned by Your own hands. Infuse me with such light, Lord God, amidst the seasons of intense darkness. Though I pass through the flames of trouble, my soul rests assured by Your presence. For nothing has come upon me that has not been filtered through Your fingers of divine purpose. I can face anything with You as my shield, Jesus. Under the mighty Word of truth given in Acts 14:21-22 and the authority of Christ, I pray.

After they had preached the gospel to that city, they returned…
strengthening the souls of the disciples,
encouraging them to continue in the faith,
and saying,
“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:21-22, NASB