“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” (1 Peter 4:7, NIV)
The end of all things is near, and the evidence is clear: Senseless violence, strife between brothers, the suspension of standards, the erosion of values, the loss of faith. It is about these things — and more — for which the disciple of Jesus prays.
Praying effectively requires alertness and sobriety of mind. The former means that we pay close attention to the things and the people around us; the latter means that we maintain a clear mind at all times.
Just because we do not know the hour or the day of the “end of all things,” does not mean that the end shall never come. We wait, as the rest of the world waits; but the faithful disciple of Jesus both waits and prays. – Luther
Daily Encouragement 
Luther, Thanks for the daily encouragement. I read it at the start of ecah new day. Keep up the good work. Merry Christmas. Herb
Do we just wait and pray….or do we also love our neighbor, repair the world and “do good works in Christ Jesus”? Aren’t we called to act, to use ALL our gifts to God’s glory to the very end – of the world or our life, whatever comes first? Just wondering….
Thank you, Phil! By all means, we should be ready to use all means at our disposal in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, the Spirit tells us to work; and sometimes, the Spirit tell us to wait and pray. Whether we wait and pray, or whether we move-out in a physical response; both cases require the Christian disciple to love his/her neighbor; and any act — however great or small — should glorify our heavenly Father. A favorite quote from Oswald Chambers is: “Prayer does not prepare us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”
What do you think? – Luther