As we encounter moments in life that rob us of hope, we can look to Christ, the founder and perfecter of our faith. Christ, Who is the visible image of the invisible God, is our hope (Colossians 1:15; Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.). In those times when we are desperate, and storms cover our lives in those darkest days, remember that darkness is not dark to God but light. Even over the storms, Christ is sovereign and with us (Mark 4:39). That is our confidence in times of desperation—that Christ is always with us and, therefore, we should never lose hope. Take heart, for Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Heavenly Father, in times of tribulations, when I am driven to despair, remind me to take heart, for Christ has overcome the world. You are my strong tower in these trying times; my rock and my refuge. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Little Prayer Of Hope
A Little Prayer Of Hope
Finding Comfort in His Word
We are to run to God when we are hopeless, for He is our refuge in such desperate times. One of the ways we run to God apart from prayer is by going to His Word. Reading His Word refreshes and comforts our souls because it reminds us of the promises of God and Who He is. Psalm 119, a psalm dedicated to God’s Word, tells us how God’s Word brings comfort in times of affliction because His promises give life (Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.). The psalmist thinks of God’s Word, and from there, they are comforted (Psalm 119:52). They have delighted in God’s Word, which preserved them in times of affliction (Psalm 119:92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.).
A Little Prayer Of Hope
A Little Prayer Of Hope
That is why prayer and reading God’s Word are important spiritual disciplines. If we don’t read the Bible and pray when everything is okay, how much more during those seasons when we are walking amid a dark valley? As we pursue consistency in prayer and reading His Word, we can ask God for the grace and strength to succeed (Phil 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.).
A Little Prayer Of Hope
Going to God’s Word in times when we are hopeless is important because God’s Word will also become our basis as we pray a little prayer of hope to Him.
Using God’s Word for Little Prayers of Hope
If we feel hopeless, our prayers do not have to be long for God to hear them. A short but sincere prayer from the heart is already enough for God. It is not even our words’ eloquence but our hearts’ posture. Even if it is a short prayer because it is the only prayer we can utter before the LORD with all the emotional turmoil we are in, God can still understand us (Psalm 139:1-4).
As mentioned above, we can use God’s Word when we pray little prayers of hope. We use God’s Word as we remember and confess Who God is, which also brings us comfort. For example, let’s say that the passage that we are using is Romans 8:28, which says that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. We can pray that in this manner:
Father in heaven, I don’t know what to do. I am hopeless. However, I know that You work all things for my good. In You, I trust and hope. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Little Prayer Of Hope
If you observe the sample prayer given, you’ll see the prayer was solely based on Romans 8:28. You can be honest with God about your emotions when you pray. You are praying to Your Heavenly Father, after all. He still knows you, even if you don’t admit your emotions to Him. Besides being honest with God, confess in prayer Who God is and meditate on it. It is then that you can place your hope as you pray.
In the end, know that whatever difficulties or sufferings we may encounter here on earth, our ultimate hope rests in Christ and the future glory that is to come. As Paul said in Romans 8:18, the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Christ didn’t promise us a life free from tribulation. In fact, He told us that in this world, we will encounter tribulations. However, we can take heart and not lose hope and persevere, for He has overcome the world. No amount of despair nor difficulties will ever separate you from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:38-39).