“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Romans 12:12 is part of Paul’s sustained teaching on transformed community life. In Romans 12:9–21, Paul fires off a rapid series of characteristics of genuine love, and in verse 12 this compressed triad of joyful hope, patient affliction, and faithful prayer.

Each of the three is a pairing of disposition and circumstance. Joy paired with hope — the joy is not in the present situation but in the future certainty. Patience paired with affliction — the patience is not avoidance but endurance within the hard thing. Faithfulness paired with prayer — not prayer as inspiration strikes, but disciplined, ongoing, faithful practice. The three together form a sustainable way of moving through whatever life brings: looking forward (hope), leaning into the present (patience), and staying connected to God through it all (prayer).

As we are in the last days before Jesus returns to restore righteousness He has told us that tribulation is ahead for believers that will refine His church and preserve the remnant. We will need hope, patience and prayer and empowerment by the Holy Spirit to remain faithful through this testing period.

Across Australia and the rest of the Western world, Christians are increasingly finding themselves treated as unwelcome because of their beliefs. Social hostility is growing simply for holding to traditional Christian convictions. How should Christians respond?

For generations, the foundations of Western civilisation were deeply shaped by Christianity. Its teachings influenced our understanding of human dignity, charity, justice, morality, and the belief that every person is created with inherent worth because they bear the image of God. Churches stood at the centre of communities, Scripture shaped public life, and Christian beliefs were not viewed as something strange or dangerous, but as a vital part of the cultural fabric of the West.

But something has changed.

Across Western nations, Christianity is no longer simply being questioned — it is increasingly being rejected, ridiculed, and pushed towards the margins of society. The beliefs that shaped generations are now often portrayed as outdated, harmful, or incompatible with the modern world. For many Christians, the concern is not that society has different opinions. Disagreement has always existed. The concern is that the conversation itself is changing.

A society that once encouraged debate is increasingly moving towards dismissal. A society that once allowed competing ideas to exist side by side is becoming more hostile towards certain beliefs (Christian and Jewish). And for many Christians, the question is becoming unavoidable: what happens when a culture no longer wants to debate Christianity, but wants Christians to remain silent?

This is the reality many believers feel they are facing today and we should not be surprised as Jesus warned us this would happen prior to His return to restore righteousness.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:9-14

Keep in mind that Jesus Millennial Kingdom is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth. Be prepared, go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net.