ISAIAH 63:15-64
A Prayer for Mercy and Help

Please, LORD, look down from your holy and glorious home in the heavens and see what's going on.  Have you lost interest?  Where is your power?  Show that you care about us and have mercy!  Our ancestors Abraham and Jacob have both rejected us.  But you are still our Father; you have been our protector since ancient times.

Why did you make us turn away from you, our LORD?  Why did you make us want to disobey you?  Please change your mind!  We are your servants, your very own people.  For a little while, your temple belonged to us; and now our enemies have torn it down.  We act as though you had never ruled us or called us your people.

ISAIAH 64

Rip the heavens apart!  Come down, LORD; make the mountains tremble.  Be a spark that starts a fire causing water to boil.  Then your enemies will know who you are; all nations will tremble because you are nearby.

Your fearsome deeds have completely amazed us; even the mountains shake when you come down.  You are the only God ever seen or heard of who works miracles for his followers.

You help all who gladly obey and do what you want, but sin makes you angry.  Only by your help can we ever be saved.  We are unfit to worship you; each of our good deeds is merely a filthy rag.  We dry up like leaves; our sins are storm winds sweeping us away.  No one worships in your name or remains faithful.  You have turned your back on us and let our sins melt us away.

You, LORD, are our Father.  We are nothing but clay, but you are the potter who molded us.  Don't be so furious or keep our sins in your thoughts forever!  Remember that all of us are your people.  Every one of your towns has turned into a desert, especially Jerusalem.  Zion's glorious and holy temple where our ancestors praised you has been destroyed by fire.  Our beautiful buildings are now a pile of ruins.  When you see these things, how can you just sit there and make us suffer more?

MATTHEW 24:36-44
No One Knows the Day or Time
(Mark 13.32-37; Luke 17.26-30,34-36)

No one knows the day or hour.  The angels in heaven don't know, and the Son himself doesn't know.  Only the Father knows.  When the Son of Man appears, things will be just as they were when Noah lived.  People were eating, drinking, and getting married right up to the day that the flood came and Noah went into the big boat.  They didn't know anything was happening until the flood came and swept them all away.  That is how it will be when the Son of Man appears.  Two men will be in the same field, but only one will be taken. The other will be left.  Two women will be together grinding grain, but only one will be taken. The other will be left.  So be on your guard! You don't know when your Lord will come.  Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in.  Always be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come. 

LUKE 21:25-36
When the Son of Man Appears
(Matthew 24.29-31; Mark 13.24-27)

Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars.  The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won't know what to do.  People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken.  Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with great power and glory.  When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free.

A Lesson from a Fig Tree
(Matthew 24.32-35; Mark 13.28-31)

Then Jesus told them a story:
When you see a fig tree or any other tree putting out leaves, you know that summer will soon come.  So, when you see these things happening, you know that God's kingdom will soon be here.  You can be sure that some of the people of this generation will still be alive when all of this takes place.  The sky and the earth won't last forever, but my words will.

A Warning

Don't spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you like a trap.  That day will surprise everyone on earth.  Watch out and keep praying that you can escape all that is going to happen and that the Son of Man will be pleased with you.

PSALM 25
(By David.)
A Prayer for Guidance and Help

I offer you my heart, LORD God, and I trust you.  Don't make me ashamed or let enemies defeat me.  Don't disappoint any of your worshipers, but disappoint all deceitful liars.  Show me your paths and teach me to follow; guide me by your truth and instruct me.  You keep me safe, and I always trust you.

Please, LORD, remember, you have always been patient and kind.  Forget each wrong I did when I was young.  Show how truly kind you are and remember me.  You are honest and merciful, and you teach sinners how to follow your path.

You lead humble people to do what is right and to stay on your path.  In everything you do, you are kind and faithful to everyone who keeps our agreement with you.

Be true to your name, LORD, by forgiving each one of my terrible sins.  You will show the right path to all who worship you.  They will have plenty, and then their children 
will receive the land.

Our LORD, you are the friend of your worshipers, and you make an agreement with all of us.  I always look to you, because you rescue me from every trap.  I am lonely and troubled.  Show that you care and have pity on me.  My awful worries keep growing.  Rescue me from sadness.  See my troubles and misery and forgive my sins.

Look at all my enemies!  See how much they hate me.  I come to you for shelter.  Protect me, keep me safe, and don't disappoint me.  I obey you with all my heart, and I trust you, knowing that you will save me.

Our God, please save Israel from all of its troubles.