Consuming Hope

"I AM the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst"
- John 6:35

Hope is something you must feed everyday to keep the fires of hope stoked and burning brightly. There are many ways to do this. First and most importantly, don't let your bible get dusty! It contains the substance that will sustain you in good times and tough times. The WORD is the "sword of the spirit" that cuts to the quick, any obstacle that impedes your faith. You will find your greatest strength by immersing yourself in the truths to be found in the bible.

When I think about hope I have to think about the source of my hope. What is the foundation of everything I believe in? Who is my God to me that I can trust Him in all things great and small? How can I have hope unless I know in my heart and soul why I believe hope is possible?

I created a morning prayer of thanks that I begin each day with that reminds me of everything God does for me that gives me reason to hope that all is well all the time no matter what my current circumstances are:

Morning Prayer of Thanks


Good Morning Lord,

Today I open my eyes and bless you with every breath I take. Thank you for:


Always being available to me every second, every minute, every hour, every day of my life. You are always on time no matter what time I call you and always answer all prayers.

Blessing me with beauty in all I hear, all I say, all I see, all I feel and all I do. Your beauty is everywhere and in everyone.

Comforting me with compassion when I make mistakes. Your understanding and forgiveness get me up off my knees when I am knocked down. Today I forgive all who have offended me.

Designing my dreams according to Your divine plan for my life, which is always perfect for my true heart’s desire. You alone know what makes me happy, and what I was born to do.

Expecting excellence in all I say and do bringing me to my very best potential to serve you and glorify you in all things great and small.

Freshening the foundation of my heart with your unconditional love and power. With You, I can do all things. I know whatever the question, love is the answer.

Giving me grace to get through the day to handle every problem, obstacle or situation with Your divine solution. There is nothing that can happen today that you and I can’t handle together.

Helping me to heal when my heart, my body or my spirit is broken. Your love is the best medicine I could ever take.

Instilling integrity in my soul to always do the right thing, at the right time, at the right place. I do unto others as I would have them do unto me.

Jumpstarting my joy, with laughter and music ,to praise your name, and to thank you for all your marvelous creations. You keep a smile on my face and a song in my heart.

Kindling Your kindness in me, to remind me of how to treat each person I meet, remembering that every person is my neighbor., to be loved as I love myself.

Lifting me with love and showing me why I was created……to simply love and be loved.

Making my life a masterpiece that is a portrait painted by Your mighty hand, in brilliant hues of amazing grace.

Never noticing my flaws, and always magnifying my best assets to demonstrate your glory.

Ordering opportunities to appear each day that lead me to my divine purpose with an expectant heart. I know that miracles are all around me if I will just open my eyes and watch for them.

Quenching my soul with quietness so I can hear your voice and direction in the stillness. In silence I can find you whenever I seek you.

Restoring my righteousness when I lose sight of the truth. You are the beacon of light that keeps my soul on course.

Strengthening my spirit when I am weak. Your mighty shoulders carry me when I cannot walk alone. It is during these moment I see only Your footprints in the sand.

Teaching me to trust You that all is well all the time, even when I cannot see the light in the darkness.

Unveiling my universe and showing me the magnitude of how great Thou art when I look up at the stars or across the ocean. Your magnificence takes my breath away.

Visualizing my victory, and planting the vision in my heart to make all my dreams come true.

Washing me in wisdom each morning as I set out to do Your will each day and spread Your amazing grace everywhere.

X-pressing your x-pectations for my life, by laying the world at my feet, through Your death on the cross, and Your instruction book called THE BIBLE.

Yanking out my yesterdays, to make room for my tomorrows, that are filled with your promises for today.

The Zeal and zest for life I know in living each day according to Your will, knowing that good things come to those who trust YOU.

Help me Lord to be a blessing to all I meet today.

Amen.


Once again.......it makes it easy for me to memorize by alphabetizing my blessings from A - Z. I encourage each of you to make a copy of this prayer and attempt to memorize it over a period of time. It provides a beautiful foundation for the day and a reminder of how powerful our God is.