God, the Source of Hope

Pray that God,

the source of hope,

will fill you completely with joy and peace

because you trust in him

Then you will overflow

with confident hope

through the power

of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13)

Eternal Life

The free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift (Romans 4:16).

Receive God’s gift and say thank you.

Praying to a Forgiving God

We often overlook confession. Perhaps we live unaware of our sins. Maybe we think if we don’t talk about them, God will not notice. We probably don’t realize how absolutely bad sin is. But the consequences of sin are dire. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (Psalm 66:18 NLT). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Click here for a Prayer Guide on Praying to a Forgiving God.

Trust Through the Trial

“I can’t remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain.”*

Jesus’ death is our perfect example of God always working for the good of those who love him (see Philippians 2:8-11; Romans 8:28).

Remember this as you pray your way through.

*https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/saragroves/hesalwaysbeenfaithful585720.html

Why Our Prayers Are Heard

“Our prayers are heard,
not because we are in earnest,
not because we suffer,
but because Jesus suffered.”*

*Oswald Chambers, If Ye Shall Ask” p.10-11.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

Jesus told his disciples he would “be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant (Mark 9:31-32).”

I’m not sure why they were afraid to ask. But I am sure that we don’t have to be afraid to ask Jesus anything.

He invites us to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God (Hebrews 4:16).”

Claim God’s Promise of Comfort

God promises those who mourn will be comforted (Matthew 5:4).

Though it does not take away the loss, God’s comfort soothes, like aloe on newly burned skin.

We pray to the God who is the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3).

My Grandson Promise

We wanted him here.
But Jesus took him there.

We had to let him go
Even though we love him so.

We are very, very sad
But Promise is with Jesus.
For this we are glad.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Their Baby is with Jesus

Here’s what she wrote: “On Valentine’s Day 2021, I gave birth to a baby boy. It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done since he was 18 weeks 5 days along. My journey is fresh, it it real, it is hard, but I am not alone. I am loved, I am surrounded by prayer, and I have hope.”*

You can listen to her story here: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xMjM3MDY0LnJzcw/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC03OTA4NTg2?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwi4hvng_57vAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg&hl=en

*Momming On the Go, “I Had My Baby Boy Too Early,” Feb. 16, 2021.

One Way to Respond to Unjust Treatment

Have you been treated unjustly? Pray. God sees, knows, and cares. He will respond.

This story gives God’s perspective: If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate (Exodus 22:26-27 bold mine).”