“May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Lord God, The work is hard and the days are long. It is a grind, a slog, one day into the next. The opponents are many. And I’m not talking about people who oppose me. Even when people do oppose me, Father, it is not they who oppose me but the Evil One. My heart is constantly under assault by the devil. My heart is constantly tempted to pride, to despair, to discouragement, to bitterness, even to disbelief and unbelief. The opponent to my heart is strong and might, crafty and devious. Lord God, turn my heart away from the work to your word and to the promises of it. Direct my heart to what you have done and what you promise to do for me and through me in this world. The work may be hard and the days may be long, but turn me to your promises that it is not in vain. And so, by your Spirit, strengthen me for that work. Direct my heart to your perseverance, O Jesus, so that I do not grow weary and give up. Direct my heart to your love and your perseverance and so strengthen me for this day. Amen.

Whatever you magnify is bigger. If you magnify your work and your challenges, they will appear big in your heart. But if you magnify God’s love and Christ’s perseverance, he will loom large in your life and all that challenges you will seem small (as they really are).