My Source Of Hope

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

--Romans 15:13 (NLT)

O God, my Hope,

May my joy and peace remain complete—as I overflow with confident hope—having put my trust in You alone.

You, LORD God, are the very source of hope in me.  Through the experience of Your proven faithfulness to me, You have given me cause to trust in You more and more—with every moment that passes.

Because I trust You, You fill me completely with Your joy and peace—so I am no longer disheartened or dismayed, no matter what my circumstance may be.

Let that confident hope that I have—by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within me—overflow out of me, to Your honor, glory and praise, as a testimony to others of Your faithfulness, goodness, mercy, and love.

May my joy and peace remain complete—as I overflow with confident hope—having put my trust in You alone.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

My God, My Strength

I love you, Lord;
    you are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.

—Psalm 18:1-2 (NLT)

Loving LORD GOD,

I love you, LORD—for You alone are my strength!

You are my Rock—the solid foundation beneath my feet, upon which I can firmly stand and not be moved.

You are my Fortress—a strong and impenetrable place of safety from my enemies where I can confidently remain.

You are my Savior—the One who rescues me from evil, from all my trials and troubles, and gives me eternal life.

Yes, You alone, my God, are my Rock—the One in whom I find my protection.

You are my Shield—You block the accusing arrows of the devil and silence the lies of my enemies, as I abide and trust in You.

As I remain in You, I do not fear—for You steadfastly continue to be my place of safety. 

I love you, LORD—for You alone are my strength!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

What Waits There For Me

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.  What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”  Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

—James 4:14-16 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

May I always look to You for direction as I make my plans—and be ready to see my plans interrupted by Your even better plans and purposes for me—trusting that You always know what is best for me and will always work in every situation for my good.

You know everything about my past—everywhere I have been and everything I have thought, said and done—while I have forgotten much of my past.

You know everything about my present—all the “whys” of where I am now, for You are in my every moment, never letting go of my right hand—while I am uncertain what my present means.

You know everything about my future—for You know the plans You have made for me and You have already been where I am going (and even still remain, waiting there for me)—while I have no idea what my future holds.

How arrogant and foolish it would be for me to presume to tell You what I am going to do—without first seeking Your guidance and direction and then trusting You to direct my every step according to Your will for me!

Each moment that I live, each breath that I take, is a gift from You—but You do not promise me another.  How foolish it would be to waste the time You have given me by not fully living every moment now!

Keep me from arrogantly boasting about my own plans and let me only boast in what You have done, what You are doing, and what You have graciously shown me about what You will do—so that You will receive all the glory, honor and praise.

May I always look to You for direction as I make my plans—and be ready to see my plans interrupted by Your even better plans and purposes for me—trusting that You always know what is best for me and will always work in every situation for my good.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.