Friday 3 December 2010

iPray Fridays: Endurance, Strength to finish the race..

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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7


...........Jesus said 'It is finished'........................

John 19:30

endurance: en-door-uhns (noun) the ability or strength to continue or last, esp. despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina

One of my favourite similes about life is that 'life is like a race, it is a marathon and not a sprint'. You don't need to be an experienced runner to know that there is a difference between a marathon and a sprint, both types of races require different ingredients to achieve success because where a sprint calls for speed...a marathon calls for endurance. A marathon demands that you 'don't give up' in other words 'endure till the end'. I'm not a runner but when I see the look of satisfaction and achievement in the eyes of those who have completed a marathon it makes me want to don my running shoes and get some of that feeling myself.

According to the dictionary, endurance is the strength to continue...the key words being 'in spite of'. I'm learning that the storms of life are inevitable. I say it all the time but when the storm comes I act surprised..lol! As we run this marathon, there will be obstacles in our path, we will get tired, we will want to give up. I am currently writing my dissertation and honestly there was a time I gave up on it and on myself. It was just difficult, I couldn't make sense of anything anymore and it was like the Lord used that to show up an attitude where I am good at starting things but not enduring to the end to finish. Hmm! He said 'The winner of a marathon is not the one who finished first but the one who finished, endure till the end. The Lord is your strength.' Selah. 

So what do you want to give up on today? Not because it's the wrong thing but because you're tired and frustrated, nothing seems to give, others seem to be hitting that finish line and you're wondering what's wrong with you. Let's pray for endurance. In an earlier chapter in 2 Timothy, Paul told Timothy to 'endure hardness like a soldier'...the soldier comes home when the war is over. He endures till the end. The farmer endures till harvest time. Lord, you are our strength and our salvation. Give us the grace to endure till the end. Our Father is the Author, He is also the Finisher we have no choice but to do the same.

Let's pray together, click comments!

Remain blessed and highly favoured.

5 comments:

Zoe Believer said...

Dear Lord, I am almost there. I can almost see the finish line but my legs feel like rubber and my brain just can't seem to settle these days. I stare at the computer and can't find the words..please Lord I need your help. I need endurance, the strength to finish the race. The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong but Lord you empower us and give us the ability to persevere to the end and get to the place where like Jesus we can say 'It is finished'. In December Lord I know that I will have a better story to tell in the mighty name of Jesus. Do what you alone can do and let your name be glorified in Jesus name.

Unknown said...

Dear Lord, as we have learned that, "endurance is the strength to continue..." May we continue to fashion our lives according to your strength and on our own such that even when our own strength finishes, yours is just beginning. That we will have no course to give up or call it quit. We will continue to bear in mind that the race is only for the one that endures to the end...

Also Lord, help Aunty Amara in her dissertation that there'd be no cause to give up any longer. Let your joy continue to be her strength. She'd make it through by your grace and yours alone.

Thank you Jesus :)

Truth said...

Daddy, a lot has gone unfinnished in my life and most times i just quit. It is not because i dont trust You to help me to finish, but because i just got weary and dont want to go on. Help me o God to run this race of life with endurance, and i trust you Lord, that You never have an abandoned project, which i am one. Thank You Daddy for using believer to remind Truth to press unto the mark. We shall all make it in Jesus name.

Unknown said...

I'm told I'm impatient..
Lord,help me endure
So I can get the best of what I am looking for..
It gets so hard but Help me endure to the end..

Remi said...

Dear Lord, I have learnt the very meaning of leaning and trusting in you, this year more than any. Like Zoe, I see the finish line and a battle ensues between my mind, heart and body. My body is tired, my mind tries to tell me to give up and rest, but my heart reminds me of God's promises and his strength to endure and carry on till the end.

Father Lord, I pray with all my heart, please help me to focus, be willing, be instantly obedient, to be tremendously patience and humble and endure till the very end, for I know what you have in store for me is more than I can ever imagine. Amen.

Father, I also pray for Believer, I pray with all sincerity that as she has blessed us constantly this year with the power of prayer, I pray that you give her strength in her mind, spirit, body and soul to endure in everything that you have given her to do. I pray that she and everyone finishes strong this year, and we will hear and see your 'well done' in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour I pray. Amen!

Zoe Believer, you are one in a million girl. I decree that your light will never go out, and you will impact this and many more generations to come. Amen.
Love loads.. *hugs*

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