I think I’ll do something a little different this week – a series of prayers themed around advent. Advent is all about preparing for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, that divine moment when hope of salvation was born of flesh and bone.
Today I offer a prayer for hope. When we’re lost in the darkness, that spiritual void where we feel far from God, where we’re lost and afraid, not knowing what to do next, God offers us the hope of salvation.
Father God, our Glorious Hope of Redemption, we praise You for sending Jesus to seek and save those who are/were lost in the darkness. You encourage us to rejoice in hope, be patient in times of great difficulty, and be constant in prayer. You say faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, and when we’re lost in the darkness, there is much we cannot see. Yet, You have given us Your word as instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. You assure us the plans You have for us are for our wellbeing and not for evil, which gives us a future and a hope. We can be strong and courageous, without fear or dread, for You O Lord are with us and will never leave or forsake us. Blessed be You O Lord our God and Father of Jesus Christ! According to Your great mercy You have caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. For in this hope we were saved. Even though we did not see Jesus walk this earth with our own eyes, may we still hope in Him, waiting patiently for Your many future promises to come true, abiding in faith, hope and love. Though we still experience darkness in this world, may we continue to wait on You, and trust in Your renewal of our strength. In You we shall be strong and mighty, able to overcome any obstacle, run the good race without growing tired, and persevere without fear of death overcoming us. May You O Lord, our God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in our hope in You. All honor, glory, and praise be unto You, forever and ever, amen.
[Inspired by: Rm 12:12, Heb 11:1, Rm 15:4, Jer 29:11, Deu 31:6, 1 Pt 1:3, Rm 8:24-25, 1 Cor 13:13, Isa 40:31, Rm 15:13]
~ Conqueror in Training