For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25
Our language is full of phrases that have to do with standing. Stand up. Stand proud. Stand firm. Stand tall. We are bombarded with messages and agendas telling us what we should stand for, who we should stand with, or who we should stand against.
The 2025 National Day of Prayer theme is a call to prayer, inviting our nation to “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled.” When we know the God of Hope, we can stand in His Hope, with the promises of scripture from Romans 5:5, “This hope will not disappoint…” Placing our hope in any other person or cause will lead to disappointment, but the Hope of God will not. We stand in hope, unmoving and unshaken, because we know the God of Hope!
When we know the God of Hope, we have both studied and experienced His character. When we know the God of Hope, we overflow with testimonies, big and small, of our joyful, confident expectation that God is fulfilling the promises of Scripture.
Just as in the Apostle Paul’s day, when we share the Hope of God with others, we encounter many perspectives that see the Hope of God as troubling or foolishness.
Some may see our hope as silly, and think faith is an illusion and God is nothing more than an imaginary friend.
Others may see our hope as inconvenient or detrimental to their plans, and think that the joy and peace that flows from our hope makes us weak.
These reactions don’t offend us, because we know that “God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe,” from 1 Corinthians 1:21. The responses we get to our testimonies of hope reveal how we ought to pray for the salvation of that person.
When we stand in Hope, we are unmoved by the undercurrents of criticisms and cynicism and the crashing waves of culture.
What an incredible way to live, to be so rooted and secure in God’s Hope that neither anger not despair have any foothold in our hearts, and each day comes as an exciting opportunity to walk with God!
God of Hope, I am secure in You. I have Hope because You set me free from the chains of sin and death, and You fill me with all joy and peace in believing. I am so grateful for my hope and salvation in You, I cannot help but share about it with those around me. Give me the words to speak as I seek to share my faith, and the patience to listen to the hearts of those who respond to my testimonies of Your hope. When I encounter those who stumble over the truths of the Gospel or who see it is foolish, teach me how to intercede for them, that Your Holy Spirit might work in their hearts. Your Hope is my anchor through every situation and season! In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Peace and blessings,
Amy Parks
Communications Director