Hope, Prayer, Words of Endurance

Prayers offered for those who suffer are like lighting a candle in the dark. Even the smallest flicker of light can push back the darkness to yield the treasures of hope and joy. Unfortunately, we often don’t know how to pray for friends and loved ones – or even ourselves – when we face suffering but the Word of God gives us abundant instruction. We can pray for these priceless, eternal treasures:



THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE
I know how to live on almost nothing
or with everything.
I have learned the secret
of living in every situation,
whether it is with a full stomach or empty,
with plenty or little.
For I can do everything through Christ,
who gives me strength.
PHILIPPIANS 4:12-13 (NLT)



WISDOM
If you need wisdom,
ask our generous God,
and He will give it to you.
He will not rebuke you for asking.
JAMES 1:5 (NLT)



DISCERNMENT
Be assured that from the first day
we heard of you,
we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds
and spirits attuned to his will,
and so acquire a thorough understanding
of the ways in which God works.
COLOSSIANS 1:9 (THE MESSAGE)



SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Two are better off than one,
for they can help each other succeed.
If one person falls,
the other can reach out and help.
But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10 (NLT)



A TRUSTING HEART
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice
in everything you do,
everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track.
PROVERBS 3:5-6 (THE MESSAGE)



HOPE IN GOD’S LOVE
Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge
between us and Christ’s love for us?
There is no way!
Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger,
not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing,
not even the worst sins in Scripture …
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.
I am absolutely convinced that nothing –
nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic,
today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable –
absolutely nothing can get between us
and God’s love because of the way
that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
ROMANS 8:38-39 (THE MESSAGE)



GREATER INTIMACY WITH GOD
I ask – ask God of our Master, Jesus Christ,
the God of glory –
to make you intelligent and discerning
in knowing Him personally,
your eyes focused and clear,
so that you can see exactly
what it is He is calling you to do,
grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life
He has for His followers,
oh, the utter extravagance of His work
in us who trust Him –
endless energy, boundless strength!
EPHESIANS 1:17-19 (THE MESSAGE)



Praying for all who are seeking the treasure,
Dave and Jan Dravecky

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