As a new college graduate a few decades ago, I joined the editorial staff of a Christian magazine. Every Monday morning we had a staff prayer time—and every week our administrative assistant prayed the same prayer: “Jesus, please return soon.”
As a young—and I guess—immature believer, I confess her prayer bothered me every week. I simply could not understand why she was so eager for Jesus to return. Granted, she was nearing retirement. Her husband had passed away several years earlier, and she was struggling with cancer. Perhaps that was part of her heart behind her prayer.
But the imminent return of Christ was far from my thoughts. I was excited about the career that lay ahead of me. I was just getting started in my new life as an adult.
Why would I want Jesus to return soon?
New Perspective
I understand her prayer now. And I don’t think it’s just because I’m getting older. As one who values intercession and has matured in my own prayer life, I believe I am more aware of the urgency of the day and the signs of the times that seem to be lining up with prophetic Scriptures. It is possible that the return of Christ is nearer than we think and that we are living in the “end of days.” I have now learned to pray in anticipation of Jesus’ return.
Peter gives timeless instructions about how we should live and pray as believers. He wrote: “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray” (1 Peter 4:7). We need to be fully aware of the signs around us so that we can pray effectively.
I am praying that God will graciously pour out His Spirit in the greatest revival and spiritual awakening that we have ever known. I am asking the Lord to bring an end-times harvest of those who do not yet know Christ that surpasses anything our nation or world has ever experienced.
And I am praying that the Church of Jesus Christ will be awakened and ready for that day when we look to the horizon and witness that glorious moment: “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:27).
Watching and Waiting
In this issue, Bob Bakke writes that “what is happening today should compel us to be fully awake and carefully watching for signs of His coming.” He shows how we can pray confidently—yet in an attitude of waiting patiently on the Lord’s perfect timing.
Throughout biblical and church history, some men and women have positioned themselves to pray with watchful eyes similar to the prophet Habakkuk. Jacquie Tyre is one of those faithful intercessors, and she offers several ways to watch and pray in agreement with God for His purposes. And finally, David Kubal urges us not to be passive observers of the events of our time, but instead use our prayers to exert a powerful force on what transpires in our day.
I suspect the return of the Lord may be close. We might just have the opportunity to witness the heavens cracking open like lightning at the coming of Christ. I have learned to pray this simple prayer of anticipation: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
CAROL MADISON is editor of Prayer Connect.
