Today is November 19.
  
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”     
    
Today’s reading is from the book of Hebrews, chapter 10.   
  

32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,  
“In just a little while,  
    he who is coming will come  
    and will not delay.”   
38 And,  
“But my righteous one will live by faith.  
    And I take no pleasure  
    in the one who shrinks back.”   
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.  
  

The writer of Hebrew is exhorting the Christians following a sobering caution for those who fall away from faith in Jesus. Then, he turns toward encouragement for those who are hanging on in their faith through obedience. As you come to prayer today, take a moment to reflect on the condition of your faith. Are you demonstrating the fruits of the spirit? Are you practicing obedience to the way of Christ? Are there areas where you are shrinking back?  
    
A major theme of the letter to the Hebrews have been the need to "hold fast" during suffering and hardships. The original audience of this letter were most likely persecuted Jewish Christians of the early church. Most had already experienced some level of hardship for the sake of their faith. Sometimes we listen to scripture and forget the real suffering and persecution the early church lived through. Listen again and consider how these words would sound if you were suffering for your faith in prison.  
    
Are you facing such challenges? Hardships? Even suffering for your faith in Jesus today? If not now, do you remember facing such opposition for your faith in the past? We don’t need to look far than the very grace of God which carried us through those challenging moments. Recount them today as you come to the Lord in prayer today.   
  
Thank God for the grace given to us. Pray for those who might be suffering for their faith today. If someone comes to mind today, would you reach out to them and share an encouraging word? 

Music: "You Don't Have to Lose Heart" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)