Would you consider yourself optimistic? Do you truly believe that the glass is always half-full instead of half-empty? It is not necessarily a bad thing to look on the bright side of life, but as Believers we have an opportunity to see that Jesus asks more out of us than just a positive outward disposition.
The truth is, in Christ we have something that is greater than optimism. Because of Jesus, we have hope. Our eternal hope is in our Father and in His son Jesus. When we pray to God, it is important that we have a hopeful spirit.
In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul describes in chapter 12 how a Christian should act. He says in verse 12 that we should be rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. We are called to rejoice in hope because of the finished work of Christ and given clear instructions to pray without ceasing!
Prayer Tip #11 – Pray with a Hopeful Heart
In the brokenness and sin we are surrounded by while on this side of eternity, it can sometimes feel difficult for us to remain hopeful. We are constantly fighting to preserve that hope when all around us there is hurt, bitterness, sickness, greed, despair, anger, anxiety, insecurity, and unbelief. If we are not diligent in hoping, it can sometimes feel like we are up against unsurmountable odds. But the God we serve is powerful and mighty. With God all things are possible.
“Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces."
- Exodus 15:6
In the book of Judges chapter 6, the Israelites had done evil in the eyes of God. They were repeatedly taken over by the Midianites - their food would be destroyed as soon as it was harvested, locusts inhabited their lands, and their resources were exhausted by the invading foreigners.
An Angel of the Lord appeared to a man named Gideon who was an Israelite. The Angel said to Gideon, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” He said that God had instructed him to save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Lacking confidence, Gideon did not believe his small army had a chance against the robust Midianite forces. The Lord responds, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
God spoke to Gideon with such confidence and assurance because God already knew what was going to happen. God is omniscient and He knows all things even before He speaks them into existence. As we pray in hopefulness, we can boldly stand up against seemingly impossible odds because of who God is.
Prayer Points –
Give praise to God for who He is and that He knows everything in the past, the present and the future.
Thank God that His Word is true and the stories in the Scriptures are alive and applicable in our life today.
Thank God for the living hope that He has given us in Jesus and ask Him to help you to always rejoice in this hope.
Ask God to help you to always pray in light of the hopefulness that we have in Jesus.
Ask God to restore, revive and bring healing to the brokenness around us and ask Him to give you the courage to persist with a hopeful spirit.
SUGGESTED PRAYER –
Dear God, I praise You Father for who You say You are in Your Word. I thank You that I can trust You and that Your understanding is infinite. Thank You for Your Son Jesus and for His finished work on the cross. We are thankful, Lord that we have the hope and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, and will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. You are the Rock of our Salvation and You are mighty in power. There is no thing that is greater than You, Lord. Even in our most difficult circumstances, we trust that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. God, we thank You that You have overcome this world and we pray that we will honor You with courage today.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen