Father, depending on the state of our hearts we view the Scriptures about death or the return of Your Son in dread, as a warning or as a welcoming. We prepare our hearts by trusting You and asking You for the forgiveness of sins and inviting You to reign in our lives. We pray for those we love that they too will make spiritual preparations for their death or to be ready for the trumpet sound when the dead in Christ rise first and then we who believe will be caught up to meet Jesus in the skies. We have been warned, let us be prepared, and welcome with great anticipation the time when we will transition or at the second coming of our Lord. We lift up our heads as our redemption draws near. Amen.