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•A Prayer to Rediscover Hope•By Anthony Valente👉 “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:18)What is hope? If I asked that question to any stranger on the street today, I might get a cynical answer or frustration in return. Hope is something the world seems to think is in scarce supply these days. And as feelings of hopelessness spread, believers are in danger of becoming its victims, as well.With the discouraging times we are living in, it’s easy to lose focus on our promise as children of God. We get frustrated with how things are and forget that hope has a special meaning for us. Where the world bases its hope on what we see happening around us, we know that through Christ, it means so much more.When we invite Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we are offered the gift of eternal hope that will bring joy and peace, regardless of what we face in this life. Because we have this eternal promise, our outlook doesn’t have to be affected by what we see. We have the supernatural ability to exude hope in even the worst of situations.Jesus was hope in human form when he walked on this earth, and he continues to be our living hope as we anticipate his return. Ephesians 1:14 explains the benefits of this hope we have in Christ. “The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people.”The apostle Paul knew our hearts must be filled with the light of Jesus, so we will be in constant awareness of the hope God so graciously gives. The expectation that his promise will be fulfilled. If we let the light fade, we become vulnerable to the darkness of discouragement. But inspiration like the words God spoke through Paul to the Ephesians will restore our hope when our circumstances tempt us to give up.Let’s include some inspiring verses in our prayer today to the Author of Hope. As we pray this together, let’s allow the words to guide us in rediscovering the hope that is ours as God’s precious children. May the world find this undeniable hope when they see Jesus’ light shine through us.Let's Pray.✝️ Dear Heavenly Father,Thank You for giving Your son Jesus Christ to be our living hope. We do not deserve the sacrifice he made for us, but You loved us enough to allow him to pay the price for our sin. Although we may never fully grasp the magnitude of his gift, we have hope because of Jesus.Lord, we wait expectantly for Jesus’ return. We long for the day we will see him face to face. That is the confident hope Paul talks about in his letter to the church. “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:18) Help us to keep the light of Jesus in our hearts so we do not lose hope. The world may not see this hope right now, but through us may everyone discover and know the eternal hope of our Savior.It’s hard to rediscover hope when bad things happen. But Your word confirms that Your goodness prevails through it all. You never forget the needs of your people. Psalm 9:18 says, “But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.” Thank You for this promise that even in the darkest times, hope will ultimately win.When we feel ourselves giving in to discouragement, help us claim the words of Psalm 33:20, “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.” Today, tomorrow, and in the future to come, our hope remains in you. Thank You Lord. We trust and love You Lord.In Jesus’ name, AMEN 🙏 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.(Galatians 6:8)Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.(Philippians 1:6)Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:13-14)And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.(1 Peter 5:10)For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.(Jeremiah 29:11)And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.(Romans 5:5)May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Romans 15:13)But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.(Psalm 33:18)May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.(Psalm 33:22)As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.(Psalm 71:14)For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.(Romans 8:24-25)And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28)Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.(Colossians 3:1-2)‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”(Mark 1:23)And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.(Hebrews 11:11)But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.(Isaiah 40:31)Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”(John 8:12)(pic verse)I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.(Philippians 4:13)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld