Rejoice in hope.

From today's reading:   Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.  Romans 12:12

Romans chapter 12 says a lot more than just this, but this is what stood out to me.  One of the things that so many people need in today's world is hope.  Those who are without jobs, who are ill, those who love people who are suffering - these are the ones who need hope above all things; who need to be patient and to persevere in prayer. We all know someone who is suffering and sometimes they need help in prayer.

I have a friend who acknowledges that sometimes its hard to pray in the way you need to pray.  So we have an agreement - when we can't pray for the things that we know we need to pray for, we call on each other to carry that prayer for us.  A prayer partner who can be called on when we can't do it, can steady us and remind us of the hope of God's love and promise for us.  That prayer partner can bring us back down to earth and steady us when we are spiraling out of control.  

Rejoice in hope for God is with us.   Be patient in suffering for God is in the midst of it.  Persevere in prayer for God is faithful to answer.