Endurance – The Presidential Prayer Team

Run with endurance the race that is set before us. – Hebrews 12:1

Throughout history, people who demonstrated great endurance bring encouragement and inspiration. Nelson Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison then served as the first black president of South Africa. Corrie Ten Boom, who endured great suffering in a Nazi prison camp, went on to encourage millions as an author and speaker. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for civil rights. Louie Zamperini, during World War II, was lost at sea and then captured and held prisoner, then offered strength to others through his testimony “Unbroken.” Harriet Tubman faced many dangers to lead fellow slaves to freedom. Mother Teresa lived a humble life, dedicating herself to the poor.

People like these are admired, as are those with endurance such as mountain climbers, long-distance runners, or disaster survivors. What some people endure through great struggles, or as they strive for goals, truly can be amazing. The reasons people tolerate such suffering vary greatly. From climbing mountains simply because they’re there, to fame and fortune, curiosity, adventure, or love for God and others, people who keep their eyes on whatever prize they value have a great chance of success despite the odds.

Billy Graham once said, “Out of pain and problems have come the sweetest songs, and the most gripping stories.” In today’s verse, the apostle Paul asks believers to run with endurance the race that is set before them. What race is set before you today? What goal do you need to keep in mind to help you meet your challenges? Remember the prize of eternal life in Christ and stick to your mission through all that comes your way. Pray for believers to persevere in the United States while standing for religious liberty.

Today’s Verse: Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Hebrews 12:1-13

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

³Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. ⁴In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
⁶For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

⁷It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. ¹¹For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

¹²Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, ¹³and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.