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Lord Jesus Christ, today I pray for those in a dilemma on whether they should stay or they should go; on whether they have to remain or leave as your words today offer us with so many leads when we must stay and when we must go.
In the first reading, it is very interesting why Paul and Silas who were both in prison in Philippi decided to remain inside their cell than leave and go after a strong earthquake shook the city:
When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his word and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners has escaped. But Paul shouted out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself; we are all here.” He asked for a light and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.”
Acts 16:27-31
Lord, teach us to be patient to always wait for you in joyful prayers like Paul and Silas to prevent us from jumping into hasty conclusions when opportunities come for us to leave and go; let us remain especially in trying and difficult situations where you may have other plans for others who need our presence in difficult situations like the jailer of Paul and Silas. How ironic that it was the jailer who had to ask Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved, to be set free when your two servants were the ones imprisoned!
On the other hand, dear Jesus, teach us when to go and leave in you and for you like what you told your disciples at the Last Supper:
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7
There are times, Lord, that we have to go like you not for our own sake but for others; we have experienced many times when parents, friends and loved ones have to go and leave us for our own good, so we may grow and mature; let us know when we must go, Jesus when it is you to whom we are going, when it is not for our own good but for others.
Help us realize, Lord Jesus that whether we stay and remain or go and leave, may our primary consideration and motivation is our love for you alone and not our selfish motives; most of all, either staying or leaving is always for the good of others and never for us as you surely take care of us. Amen.
