be joyful in hope
and patient in affliction
faithful in prayer
Joyful?
Trying.
Patient?
Trying.
Faithful?
Trying.
Affliction?
More than I can count.
More than I want to think about.
Prayer?
Sometimes I feel like I am praying every minute.
Prayers of petition.
Our Daily Bread.
Prayers of Praise.
Thinking of Christopher Wren’s carving in St. Paul’s Church in London that reads, LECTOR SI MONUMENTUM REQUIRIS CIRCUMSPICE or Reader, if you seek his monument – look around you.
Look around and can I not praise God.
Prayers of Blessing and Adoration?
How can I not?
Prayers of Thanksgiving?
Don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand I got it pretty good in this world and I am thankful.
Prayers of Intercession?
Intercession?
Constantly.
For others and for myself.
Hope?
Lots of hope.
Lots of hopes.
As Red says in Shawshank Redemption, Hope? Let me tell you something, my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane. It’s got no use on the inside. You’d better get used to that idea.
But what do I hope for?
If I rub the lamp and a Genie pops out and I get one wish and it has to be something just for me.
No world peace or end of hunger or end of green house gases.
Something just for me.
Gosh.
Could I sleep through the night again?
I can hope.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV