Are you hopeful? Are you tired? Are you uncertain? Are you thankful?
In many ways, I am all these things.
Does anyone else feel “all the feelings” every now and then…does anyone else sometimes seem to feel them all almost all at once? Of course, our affective fluctuations are part of the fabric of the human condition.
It is vital to recognize that we are not alone in navigating the tensions of multiplicities of overlapping, often conflicting, feelings. We are finite. We are not all-powerful. We are limited in every possible way.
Yet, we are also resilient, tenacious, have grit, and by God’s grace we find ourselves blessed to have made it to this moment.
I share the following scripture reading, “prayers of hope,” and reflections offered by Christ Church London during one of their weeks of prayer.
“A Kingdom of Hope”
- Pray for God to use this season of lockdown to get His gospel of hope to countless people
- Reflect:
- Do you see this as a season of restriction or opportunity for the gospel?
- Who around you needs to hear a message of hope?
- Where is God calling you to be bold today in sharing your faith?
- “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14)
- Prayer 1 – morning
“This is the day that
the Lord has made.
Despite how it seems,
It is a day of hope.
Your Gospel is not in lockdown,
Your Spirit is roaming free.
So help me to rejoice,
And be glad in it.” - Prayer 2 – evening
“As I review my day
May I truly re-view it,
Not through my eyes, but yours.
And may I see how
What I had considered chains,
Were in fact open doors
For your gospel of hope.”