Becoming Like Jesus: Silence and SolitudeSample

The Spirit of Hope

Pray…

Heavenly Father, you are holy. There is no one like you. You rule the heavens and the earth and you love me. Fill me with the hope that only comes from knowing you. In Jesus name, amen.

Read…

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13 NIV

Consider…

What is hope? Hope is the belief that our future can be brighter and better than the past and that we have a part to play in making that future a reality. Because of Jesus, we know that our future is secure and God’s plan will be fulfilled. And God has filled us with His Spirit so that we could play our part in the beautiful story that God is writing.

When you think about the future, is your vision one of hope or something else? Do you believe that God wants you to play a part in His plans to rescue others from sin and restore creation? What do you think your part to play in that plan is?

Listen…

Find a comfortable place where you won’t be distracted. Maybe a cozy chair, a closet, or even sitting outside on a porch.

Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.

Settle into God’s presence by taking a few deep breaths and praying this prayer.

As you breathe in, “Lord Jesus…” When you breathe out, “Have mercy on me.”

Breathe in, “Heavenly Father…” Breathe out, “You’re all that I need.”

In, “Holy Spirit…” and out, “Breathe on me.”

Repeat this prayer until your mind is clear and your body is still. When you’re ready, ask God to speak to you.

When you get distracted, repeat the prayer above to help you bring your attention back to God.

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you spent together and head into the rest of your day with a clearer sense of His presence.