This week we’ll take a short break from Ezekiel and celebrate advent, a season of remembering Jesus’ first coming, and looking forward to His second coming. This seems appropriate because of the season, but also because a good chunk of Ezekiel addresses Jesus’ second coming (and His future millennial temple).
Today I offer a prayer for hope. Where is our hope found? Ideally our hope is in Jesus, our Redeemer and Friend.
Father God, our Magnificent Lord and Steadfast Provider, You have blessed us greatly through Jesus Your Son. Thank you for Your divine will, and for Your works, which can give us hope in Jesus’ gift of salvation and our future eternal life in Your presence. You are our God of hope, and You fill us with joy and peace when we believe in Jesus, and by Your indwelling Holy Spirit we may also overflow with Hope. May we rejoice in our Living Hope, patient with difficult circumstances, and be constant in our prayers. For we know that by faith we have assurance of eternal life in Your presence, for You have promised it to us, and we can be confident in this promise even though it has yet to be seen. For we do not hope in what we see, but in the unseen (that is You and Your promises), and we wait patiently for Jesus’ return. Your word (including Your promises) has been given to us for instruction, that we may have hope in Jesus through its encouragement and guidance. And this Hope does not put anyone to shame, because Your love has been poured into our hearts through You and Your Holy Spirit. May we honor, praise, glorify, and hope in You, forever and ever, amen.
[Inspired by: Jer 29:11, Rm 15:13, Rm 12:12, Heb 11:1, Rm 8:24-25, Rm 15:4, Rm 5:5]
~ Conqueror in Training