Jeremiah's prayer of hope

 Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you – plans not for your harm but for your peace and well-being to give you a future and a hope.”

 

What a blessing to know You have a plan for each of us, Lord! Thank You that we can trust You to work for our good – always! Thank You for giving us a future to look forward to as we place our faith in You.

 

Help us to put aside fears and false modesty and embrace the purpose for which we were created. Help us never to forget the hope we have in You.

In Jesus' Name, amen.

(from the book, Kneeling on the Promises of God)

 

For more on what the Bible says about hope, see the encouraging word on Honor God with hope. Also see "People Need Hope! posted In the Christian Writer's blog.

Standing Still: Exodus 14

 

Exodus 14:13-14 – “Do not be afraid! Stand firm and witness the victory the Lord will win for you…. The Lord God will fight for you. All you have to do is keep still.”

That sounds easy enough, Lord, but sometimes we get squirmier than a hyperactive child. Sometimes we topple quicker than a toddler. Please steady our feet and help us to stand firm in faith.

Thank You, God, for promising to go to battle for us. Help us to discern Your hand in our lives. Help us to dwell in peace, knowing we can always trust You to do what You say.

 

Mary Harwell Sayler

from Kneeling on the Promises of God 

 

Job prays through to God

For many days, Job sat in shock, pain, and anger, looking for answers while listening to friends who didn’t believe in his innocence nor get why he kept questioning God. Although the Lord did not directly answer Job’s questions, His very presence quieted Job’s need to know.

 

Job 42:1-6 – a prayer of Job
from the King James Version of the Bible

 

Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

 

I know that thou canst do every thing,

and that no thought can be

withholden from thee.

 

Who is he that hideth counsel

without knowledge? therefore

have I uttered that I understood not;

things too wonderful for me,

which I knew not.

 

Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak:

I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

 

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear:

but now mine eye seeth thee.

 

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

 

 

Job 42:1-6 – a prayer of Job
in contemporary English

 

Lord, I know You can do anything!

No plan of Yours can be thwarted.

 

You asked why my ignorance hides

me from seeing Your view.

All I can say is, I didn’t understand

things too wonderful to know.

 

You told me to listen,

and You would speak.

 

You told me to answer Your questions

as I wanted You to answer mine!

 

I’ve heard a lot about You, Lord,

but now I’ve seen You for myself.

 

And so I take back my words

that questioned You, and I

repent in dust and ashes.

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019