When I think of Prayers for Hope I think of many things including, family, friends, jobs, health, forgiveness and many others that we as people have to deal with on a daily basis. Hope is a term used in 1 timothy 1: 1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” Our hope is a living Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is what separates us as Christians from all other religions or this world. Where all other religions worship god’s made of mans hand or even dead prophets, we worship a living person! We have a personal relationship with the God we serve and worship. How do I know God exist? I spoke to him just this morning before I began writing this article. As Christians, our hope is in a living person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lets examine the word “hope”. This word is used throughout the bible many times. Many people have put their hope in God and those have not come away disappointed. What is “hope”?
In Scripture, according to the Hebrew and Greek words translated by the word “hope” and according to the biblical usage, hope is an indication of certainty. “Hope” in Scripture means “a strong and confident expectation.” This is far from the meaning most people understand of it today.
Our hope comes from God!
Romans 15: 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
In today’s culture the word “hope” is not seen as it is in biblical terms. it is more as something that is optimistic but unsure. To hope for something but not sure it will be fulfilled. To desire after something but not sure our desires will be fulfilled. This is not the definition of biblical “hope”
Our hope is secure and waiting for it’s completion. Our “hope” is in God and His ability to accomplish what we need and not just a wish or something happening. People say all the time, “I hope this or that happens”, without truly expecting it to or not having faith it will. It is like it is just an after thought! Our “hope” should be in God and his ability, not just our wishing for something with no assurance.
When we pray prayers for Hope, we are putting our trust in God and praying with expectancy! When we pray prayers for hope we need to understand that if we are seeking God’s will, He will honor our request. The term “hope” and “faith” are much related to one another in the bible. the scripture says in Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Following this line of thought we have”hope” in God that he will reward us when we diligently seek him. So when we pray we have hope that our prayers are heard and will be answered. We do not always know when or by what method the answer will come but we have hope in God that they will be answered. It is an expectation we have of God to do that which he has promised.
Our prayers for hope will center around our faith in him! When we pray, let us pray with expectation of god hearing and answering us. No matter what the prayer is for, spiritual advancement, family, friends, jobs, forgiveness, finances, etc. Lets examine our hearts and if we they are pure before God, let us pray with and expectant hope. Hope and faith walk hand in hand in biblical terms.
My prayer today is that you can come to the understanding that if you have hope in God, you can have hope in your prayers. God honors faith and hope in Him. Hebrews 11:6.
I have added some examples of scriptures of hope below to help you to further understand our position of the meaning of hope and how it relates to faith.
Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
David here was also indicating that he had faith (“hope”) in God to strengthen his soul and cause him to praise Him. He had faith that God was the health of his countenance!
Psalm 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
Here we see David expressing that God people would “Set their hope” or trust or faith in God. That they would keep his commandments. This brings success and fulfillment when we keep God’s commandments! That is part of our hope.
Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
I think the hope the Apostle Paul was referring to here in rejoicing was probably what he called the “blessed hope” in Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”. In that instance it is clear that Paul was referring to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ . Therefore, what Paul was probably speaking of here was the return of Jesus and becoming like Him (1Jo 3:1-2).
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Here we see the hope of eternal life. We have faith in Jesus Christ and our faith in Him breeds hope of eternal life. We now have this assurance because if God raised him from the dead he will also, (Philippians 3:21) …. change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Isaiah 40: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah speaks great words of hope and of his faith in God in this verse. Isaiah’s hope is in God and His ability to renew, and strengthen his people! This should be our hope and confidence in God when we pray prayers for hope! Let us come to God with and expectant heart knowing he is able to do more than we can ever imagine possible Knowing as we walk in his commandments, that He will provide. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Thank you for reading Prayers for Hope. If you have a testimony or comment please feel free to leave them below. We welcome your input.