Monday - Don't Lose Heart (Hope)

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This week, our prayers focus on hope. Because of who God is and because He has promised to never leave us, our hope has a secure foundation. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13).

As we begin our time together, let's quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord.

Father, today we give everyone and everything to You.

A Scripture reading from Hebrews 1:2–3:

"In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word."

A word of encouragement:

The hands holding your life are the same hands holding creation together. Jesus is our victorious Creator. He stands at the beginning and the end of history, and nothing in between is outside His authority. Today, we recognize that hope does not begin with believing that our circumstances will improve; hope begins with knowing who God is. He is the Creator who spoke the universe into existence. He is the King who possesses all authority. Our hope is secure because our God is sovereign and eternal.

A prayer of adoration:

Jesus, I worship You as the living and victorious King. You are the beginning and the end. You were present before creation began, and You will reign when every other kingdom has passed away. You uphold the universe by the word of Your power; yet, You are also near enough to hear my prayer. You have conquered sin and death in the grave and every power of darkness. Nothing threatens Your throne. Nothing exceeds Your authority. I turn my attention away from everything that scares me, and I place my attention on You. You alone are worthy of my worship and my complete surrender.

A prayer of trust:

Father, I confess that I often feel secure only when I understand what is happening and when I can control the outcome. Today, I release the people I cannot fix and the circumstances I cannot change. What is uncertain to me is completely known by You. You see the beginning and the end and every moment in between. Your wisdom is greater than mine. I surrender my understanding to You. Your strength is sufficient for me, and Your love will not let me go. I place my life, my family, my concerns, and my future into Your hands. Because You are faithful, I choose to trust You with what I cannot control.

A prayer of petition:

God, I ask You to help me to know You more deeply. Do not allow me to settle for simply knowing facts about You. Teach me to recognize Your voice, trust Your heart, understand Your character, and become more aware of Your presence. When life is painful, use the difficulty to draw me closer rather than allowing it to drive me away. Reveal Yourself through Your Word and by Your Spirit. Correct the false ideas I have accepted about You. Use my circumstances to change me, and help me to know You as my Father, Savior, Shepherd, and King.

Closing prayer:

During these last few moments, become still before God. Slow your breathing, and picture yourself placing your life into His hands. Name anything you're still carrying, and intentionally release it to Him.

Complete this sentence in your own words: Jesus, because You are Lord over all, this is how I will allow that truth to change me today.

Remain quiet for a few moments. Allow God's power and presence to settle over your heart before you go about your day.

Prayers by Kate and Drew Krenkle. Written by Brad Bowen