Pause
I take several deep breaths as I turn my heart toward prayer. On each inhale, I welcome God into this space. On each exhale, I release all that is holding me back from entering into communion with God. As the hustle and bustle of the day fades into quiet, I turn my palms upward in my lap, waiting to receive the graces that God offers to me.
Ask
Jesus, wonderful counselor and prince of peace, I offer to You my prayer this day, a prayer for hope. Although sometimes hope feels hard to come by, I believe Your promise to us in Scripture, that hope does not disappoint. I ask for the grace to grasp onto hope in this moment, and throughout my life.
Listen
As I incline my heart toward hope, I recall that the prophet Isaiah tells us that those who hope in You will soar on wings like eagles. I imagine in this moment that I am moving gracefully through the air on the wings of Your hope. Your love holds me aloft as I gaze peacefully upon the earth below me. I stay with this image until my heart feels lighter, more able to hope.
Share
The poet Emily Dickinson wrote that hope springs eternal, and I imagine hope as just such a spring, a bubbling over of fresh, clean water. I imagine that I am seated next to You, listening to the sound of this spring, sharing with You all the areas in my life in which I would like to ask for renewed hope.
Reflect
Looking back over my time in prayer, I give thanks for the consolations I have received and offer my gratitude for any dry places that have been touched by the spring of Your mercy and hope. As I continue into my day, I ask You to keep the eternal springs of hope flowing freely within me, that I might take comfort in them and share them with others I encounter.
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