A Prayer About Fortitude

When I need staying power

O LORD,

Another Christian leader just confessed to a moral failing. This person had been at the heights and then came crashing down. I can’t imagine the damage inflicted by this person—to family, friends, and students—because of the affair. This leader was a role model, a hero, to so many. The situation reminds me of Demas, mentioned in 2 Timothy. He started strong, a fellow minister with Luke and Paul, but then was drawn away by the “things of this life.” My first response was to be indignant and judgmental, but then I thought, That could be me. I’m not invulnerable or invincible. I don’t want to be a moral and spiritual casualty, Lord. I know I am weak, and at times the temptations hit full force. So I pray, Father, for strength to resist and for power, staying power—fortitude. People look up to me and are counting on me, so I need to be strong for them. It’s my responsibility as a spiritual leader. Most important, I need to be strong for you. I want to be like the apostle Paul, not like Demas.

Demas has deserted me [Paul] because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. 2 Timothy 4:10