Luke 18:1 Jesus told a parable to show people to always pray and not to give up.
"Do not lose heart" refers not only to perseverance in long prayers, but also to composure in the face of sudden storms. Today, as the work of gathering grass roots is successfully completed, life suddenly plunges into the chaos of "losing the dog" in the evening. Jesus' parable reminds us that prayer is not a luxury, but a necessity like breathing. In every step of the search, that unwavering persistence is, in fact, a silent prayer. God allows "fright" to happen, often so that we can refocus our souls in the moment of "finding" the dog. Do not be discouraged by life's setbacks, because every brush with "disappointment" is a turning point where grace intervenes, allowing us to see His faithfulness.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for granting us abundant energy and a smooth work process, enabling us to successfully complete the tasks for our three clients. Lord, when our children searched for their lost dog in the darkness, thank You for being the seed of "do not lose heart" in our hearts. As Sun Daxin said, prayer is the breath of the soul; between anxiety and the search, You bestowed upon us the breath of peace. We ask You to protect our whole family, so that in the joy of finding what was lost, we may more deeply understand Your loving care in searching for our lost sheep. May tonight's rest be like an anchor for our souls, firmly held in Your embrace, praising not only for the success but also giving thanks for Your ever-present care. Amen!