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Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:36

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This is the Son of Man speaking in sober authority. At first sight His words here may seem to roll back all the wonder of grace, and return us to striving under law. But these words are to awaken us to our responsibility to abide in the grace of God. Jesus is not saying that we must pray a lot in order to avoid trouble. The concept of ‘praying always’ is to direct us into maintaining a clear relationship with God. The life of faith is the only thing that can make us worthy to stand before God. Jesus is the Master of putting His finger on the key issues in our hearts. Don’t allow yourself to descend into mere religious habits or forms of Christian life. Keep yourself awake and alert to the voice of the Son of God in your heart. As you do this, His grace will refresh you inwardly and your life will manifest the graciousness and beauty of heaven. Our responsibility is to keep our hearts in tune with our Saviour. How true it is that we are not under law – but it does not mean that we are not under anything! We are under the ministry of Jesus. We have exchanged the tyranny of striving under law, for the loving Lordship of Christ that enables us to be all He asks us to be. Are you worthy to stand before Him now? Don’t drift – lift up your heart and receive his goodness and love to empower you today.