Jer 33.14-16; 1 Thess 3.12-4.2; Lk 21.25-28, 34-36

• As He preached in the temple in Jerusalem, Christ warned that the anxieties of daily life, drunkenness and carousing, if not tempered, dampen the fervour of the Christian, causing him to become drowsy.

• This is good to recall during this joyous month, when we will no doubt be invited to many Christmas parties and festive gatherings. Jesus is not telling His disciples to outright avoid partying, drinking, or a stress-free life. Rather, He is using them to illustrate the various ways in which their faith might be weakened.

• Until then, we must be content ourselves to be worn out by vigilance and prayer, proving to be faithful watchmen for this generation as we cry out with the Psalmist: “I wait with longing for the Lord, my soul waits for His word. My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak. More than sentinels for daybreak, let Israel look for the Lord”.

Pro-Life Intercession

That Christians may follow the Gospel mandate to “Be on guard” against all forms of disrespect for the sanctity of human life, we pray to the Lord ...