Maintaining Hope in God Through Prayer

One of the ways to maintain our hope in God is through prayer. Let’s see what Jesus has to say.

Luke 18:1-8 NIV The Parable of the Persistent Widow

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: ‘In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think,  yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

This is not a parable about how we need to badger God to help us. The judge here is unjust and doesn’t care about God or anyone. He ends up giving what the widow wants because He’s tired of her bothering him. We see in contrast in verse 7 of this passage what God does. “And will not God bring justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night.” If the unjust judge grants the widow her request, won’t God do the same for those who love Him?

The point of this passage is in verse 1. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 

No matter the circumstances, there is always hope in prayer. When you have a need, go to Him immediately and let Him know what is going on.

Here are more questions for discussion:

• What are prayer points for hope in God?
• What is a prayer for being hopeful?
• What to pray when you have no hope?
• Prayer for hope in difficult times?
• Morning prayer of hope?

What are prayer points for hope in God?

Know Hope Comes from Jesus Christ

1 Peter 1:3 NIV “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Not only do we have hope through Jesus Christ, but a “living hope”. This is one way to maintain our hope by relying on the fact that when we get low, we can always go to the source to be replenished. Jesus Christ is our eternal hope!

Pray Continually

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV “ Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We know from this verse what God wants us to do. Rejoice in Him, pray regularly and give thanks in all circumstances.

When we do this, our hope grows strong in Jesus. He strengthens us and our world becomes brighter. We will always be blessed for being obedient.

Be Not Anxious

Philippians 4:6 NIV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Whenever we become anxious, it’s a clue that we need time with God in prayer. We give Him our petitions and then thank Him for past answers. Remember to thank Him for the priviledge of His answers which come from our relationship with Him.

Ask According to His Will

1 John 5:14 NIV “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

We need to be careful not to ask for things that are not in His will. How do we know? Example, if you are asking to be rich, that’s the wrong attitude. If you have financial needs, talk to Him about it. Be sure and listen to His answer. Reading God’s Word can help you know what to pray for.

What is a prayer for being hopeful?

Psalm 62:5-6 NIV “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

This verse is loaded with encouragement. First, we find rest in God because our hope is from Him. Second, He is our stability, salvation and safety. The results? We are not shaken. We have security in Him, knowing He stays the same and His promises will come true.

What to pray when you have no hope?

Isaiah 40:31 NIV “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.”

When you feel hopeless, go to the Lord in prayer. Why? How will He strengthen you? Until you have experienced it, you won’t know how. Trust Him, He will strengthen you and you will know it.

That strength will enable you to overcome any obstacles. Your weariness will go away as you trust Him.

Prayer for hope in difficult times?

1 Peter 5:1 NIV “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.”

Remember, our God is full of grace and mercy. He will restore us from our trials and we will be stronger because of it. As you go through suffering, ask God for His strength to make it through. It will make a difference and you can have joy through it.

Morning prayer of hope?

Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV

“Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.“

We can go to the Lord in the morning with these words. Remember, because the Lord loves us. we can survive and thrive because He is always full of compassion for us. They are fresh every morning to sustain us in His hope. Great is His faithfulness!!

Conclusion

Ephesians 1:18 NIV “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,” 

Part of maintaining the hope of God through prayer, is to be enlightened. This comes from prayer but also from reading God’s Word. The more you know about our Great God, the more you will know about His hope.

If you have any questions, I would love to talk to you. Please comment below -Jackie

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