I don't know what it is about sunset, but every time I see a beautiful sunset, it reminds me of this promise, of the glorious day that Jesus will finally return.

And the new heaven and the new earth will begin. And we will finally see him face to face.

What a beautiful promise, what a sweet reunion that will be.

You're listening to the Prayers of Rest podcast, and I'm your host Asherita Chuchu. This season, we have been praying through the promises of God, and today, specifically, I invite you to join me to pray through God's promise that Jesus will return soon. And to those of us who belong to Jesus,

for those of us who have spent our lives preparing to see him, who have been reading scripture

and getting to know him, who have been spending time resting in his loving presence. That is one of the most glorious promises that we find in

scripture, that our hope is not in vain, that the day is coming when we will indeed see Jesus

face to face. So let's take a deep breath. And I invite you to quiet your heart as we become aware of God's loving presence around us and within us as we rest in his promise today.

Today's passage comes from James chapter 5 verse 8.

You too, be patient and stand firm because the Lord's coming is near.

Let's begin by reciting God's goodness.

Lord Jesus, even as we think of the day of your return,

God, we praise you that we don't have to wait with fear or trepidation,

that we don't have to double check that we have everything ready.

It is, God, it is you who prepare us for yourself.

It is your spirit who is working in us and getting your church ready for the day that we see you.

So God, thank you for the promise that even though we've never seen you Jesus face-to-face,

our heart can know you well.

And God, we rejoice with inexpressible joy at the thought of seeing you soon.

Thank you for your promise that you will unite us to yourself,

that you are coming for your bride, and that we will be with you forever.

What a glorious day that will be.

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