Eastside 21 Days of PrayerSample

DAY 6: A PRAYER OF HOPE

Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. Referring to hope, G.K. Chesterton said, “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” It is critical that we know that the “dragons” in our lives are not permanent.

In the final verse of this song of ascents (Psalm 131:3), we read of hope: “Israel, put your hope in the LORD.”

On day one, you discovered that this prayer served as a worship song for a nation gathered around the temple mount, camped out as families to remember that once they were nomads in tents but now had a land and a home. This was a celebration (the Feast of Tabernacles) meant to remind them and teach them as the Israelites sang this song on their way up to the temple.

What song is on your heart today as you pursue God?

1. A love song?
2. A praise song?
3. A call to battle?
4. A quiet instrumental?
5. A sad song?
6. An angry rap?
7. ?

PRAY

1. Hope is an easy thing to lose, even if we are blessed. It must be found every day. What is your hope in? God? A person? A circumstance? A job? Whatever it is, bring the source of your hope to God by admitting to him exactly what it is.
2. Tell God why you believe that he is your only hope. The word “LORD” here comes from the Hebrew word for “I am.” God is saying that he is a verb, not a noun. Who is your hope? God says, “I am.” You can use this sentence: “Father, I know that you are truly my only hope because __________________.” Do this three different times, filling in the blank with something different each time.
3. Sometimes it’s OK to talk to yourself. Today’s scripture says, “Israel, put your hope in the Lord.” Replace the word “Israel” with your name and say this to yourself over and over again today as you take the hope from today’s prayer time into your day.