HOPE - Our Prayer Emphasis for August

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Below is the prayer guide for our August Prayer Emphasis. Please join the elders is making these truths part of your prayer life this month. 

You can also download a version better formatted for your phone or tablet, which we hope will make it easier to pray. 

We also created a resource to help you pray with others. More specifically, to actively engage in prayer while someone else is praying. It's a simple approach we call the ARC method. It is driven by three steps: agree, repent, and connect. If you missed the video explanation, you can access it here: Praying with Others. If you'd rather read about the method, you can find a summary here. 


HOPE — SUSTAINED IN CHRIST

 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer

Romans 12:12

 

WEEK 1: SEEING CHRIST AS OUR HOPE

Hope is not wishful thinking. Biblical hope is a certain future based on the guarantee of God’s promises. Christ is the fulfillment of those promises, thus our hope rests in him. And when we rest in him, we are sustained and strengthened through all of life’s circumstances.

  • Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Rom 5:1–2).
  • Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:1–2).

             

WEEK 2: CONTENTMENT IN DIFFICULTY

We live in a world marred by sin. This not only affects the physical world but every sphere of human relationship—family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, citizenry, and more. Nothing will be perfect. In fact, our lives will often be painful. But we can be content in all things because of our hope in Christ. 

  • There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” 7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. 8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety (Ps 4:6–8).
  • But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor 12:9–10).
  • Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:3–7).

 

 WEEK 3: BOLDNESS IN FEARFUL TIMES

Normal Christian living boldly embraces the calling in Christ to be salt and light—distinctive bearers of good news. While others fret and worry, God’s people are confident in his sovereign care because of their hope in Christ.  

  • God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah (Psalm 46:1–3).
  •  The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion (Prov 28:1).

  • For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began (2 Tim 1:7–9).

  

WEEK 4: JOYFUL WITNESS TO WEARY PEOPLE

Believers are called live in ways that go against the grain of society.  In wearying times, we stand out by our joyfulness. Christians need not grumble and complain, because we have hope in Christ. In this way, we can be a comfort and encouragement to unbelievers. 

  • But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me (Ps 13:5–6).
  • I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps 16:7–11).

  • But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies (2 Cor 4:7–10).

  

WEEK 5: SHARING OUR HOPE IN CHRIST

A life sustained by hope in Christ cannot help but share that hope!  We are ambassador for our King and desire all people to believe and become mature in him.  The clearest evidence of our faith in Jesus is our proclamation of him in the world. 

  • Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21).
  • Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. . . For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:1–6).
  • But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil (1 Pet 3:14–17).

 

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