Let no-one deceive you in any way –
first comes the rebellion,
and the lawless man is revealed,
the son of destruction,
the one who opposes
and who exalts himself above everything
called god
or worshipped,
so that in the temple of god
he sits
claiming for himself that he is God.
Do you all not remember that
while (I was) with you
I told you these things?
Steer the ship of my life, good Lord, to your quiet harbour,
where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict.
Show me the course I should take.
Renew in me the gift of discernment,
so that I can always see the right direction in which I should go.
And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course,
even when the sea is rough and the waves are high,
knowing that through enduring hardship and danger in your name
we shall find comfort and peace.
Amen
Basil of Caesarea (c.329-379)