May 12, 2026

Romans 8:26

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

There are some people who are so important, it would be difficult to talk to them in a normal way. There are some emotions that are really difficult to fit into the words you know. How is it we could talk to God about things too deep for words? With so many things beyond our understanding, how do we put our finger on the right question, the right request to God?

You have a translator. The Bible teaches that because the Holy Spirit is God He has God’s wisdom, perspectives, and protocol. He knows how to say what you should have said, how to articulate what you are feeling, and how to ask what you would have asked if you grasped the situation perfectly. So pray, and trust the power of the perfect prayer, which the Holy Spirit is helping you pray right now.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for being available at all times with the perfect mediator for my prayers.

May 11, 2026

Jonah 2:1-2

1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.

I would be so embarrassed to have to call someone from prison, with that prerecorded message on the front end asking if they will accept a call from such and such penitentiary. What if they say no? What if they say yes, and I have to speak to them, not as an equal, but as a guilty criminal?

In these verses, Jonah is confident that God heard his prayers, even from the bottom of the sea, in a fish Jonah was swallowed by because of his disobedience to God. We really aren’t God’s equals, and we do speak to Him as those who are guilty. And He still hears us. His love is so magnificent, that God hears you, even calling from whatever pit you’re in. Do you call?

Prayer prompt: Lord, may I call out to you at all times, running to you rather than away.

May 9, 2026

1 Corinthians 15:19

19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

I don’t know that I can honestly say I envy the saints in Scripture. Hebrews reminds us that while there were big victories, some of those men and women were tortured, mocked and flogged, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, killed with the sword, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. Yet, is my life supposed to be different from theirs?

What is it about my Christianity that makes me think I can afford to get comfortable in this world? What did they see in the life to come that made them so willing to suffer? We can never forget that Christ does not give us hope for this life only. He came to bring us to a better life, a life so good, we have a hope that will sustain us through literally anything. Don’t live for this life only.

Prayer prompt: Lord, this world is not my home. Please don’t let me get too comfortable here.

May 8, 2026

2 Corinthians 9:6

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

In this verse, God is dealing with how we give. He sees it like a farmer sowing a field. The money you give to God’s Kingdom work is like a seed. Too often, we think of giving as though the money is gone, lost forever. But that’s not how we see an investment. I think you’d stop investing pretty quickly if you never expected a return. When we give to God’s work there is always a good return.

When we give to God’s work, we are asking God to take this meager sum and do something with it, just like when we hand money to an investment banker. What can He do with it? He’s asking you if you want to give a little, and see a little return, or if you want to sow a lot and watch something big happen. How impactful do you want to be for God’s Kingdom?

Prayer prompt: Lord, give me excitement and imagination when I think about how You will use my Kingdom investment.

May 7, 2026

2 Corinthians 9:7

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

How can it be possible to give cheerfully? Can you imagine people excitedly waiting in a long line to put their check in the little box on a Sunday? Or a husband getting grief from his wife because he just couldn’t wait and gave online before they could do it together? Ludicrous. Except for this verse in the Bible. It must be possible.

Start by remembering the amazing wealth of blessings God has given you. Then, think about the scary stranglehold money can have on your heart. Then, look out on all the good giving through your church is going to do. When you start to see and remember, without the compulsion and guilt that Religion heaps on, it is indeed possible to be, even hard not to be, a cheerful giver!

Prayer prompt: Lord, give me the joy of giving as I remember the kindness You’ve given to me!

May 6, 2026

Ecclesiastes 4:12

12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Every Sunday, every Community Group night, do you have to talk yourself into coming? Is there a little speed bump to get over? Is it possible that you have to motivate yourself to go spend time with Christians? There may be more to that than you think. The Bible tells us the enemy may want you isolated. We are more easily defeated if we’re alone.

Others will keep your momentum going, your momentum will keep others going. God designed us to work together and to work better when we’re together. The people at Hope Church need you and you need them. If you can see that, and really believe it, you won’t be easily broken. Become another brick in God’s unbreakable structure.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to invest in Your community, so I will not be easily broken.

May 5, 2026

Isaiah 55:1

1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Grace is a word that loses its meaning through over use. You may hear it 50 times on a Sunday and only vaguely understand what’s being communicated. These verses in Isaiah perfectly paint the picture.

Imagine walking into a nice restaurant, the kind you wait for an anniversary to go to, and looking down the menu. If there was no price listed, you would assume it’s Market Price which is code for way too much. In this case though, it’s just free. It’s like opening your dad’s pantry, it’s his, but you’re welcome to it, free! That’s grace. That’s what God has for you, for anyone who calls on the name of Jesus. Come and be satisfied!

Prayer prompt: Lord, fill us up to bursting with Your grace, so much so that we never look anywhere else for satisfaction.

May 4, 2026

Matthew 26:40-41

40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Peter had a hard night on Jesus’ crucifixion. He bounced from full-throated proclamations of undying devotion, to sleeping on the job. Then from sword swinging defense of Jesus to fearfully denying that he had ever known Jesus. That guy was a coward and a bum at best and a traitor at worst. But I do the same thing, and I bet you do too.

How are we going to grow out of our weak-kneed denying of Jesus, and wake up from our sleepy lack of devotion? We have to watch and pray. Jesus has given us His Spirit to fill us up and give us strength. Have you cried out to Him today to use His grace to bring boldness to your voice and strength to your hands?

Prayer prompt: Lord, make us bold as we pray for your grace.

May 2, 2026

Romans 8:32

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

When I read about the grace that God gives us, I think about divine comfort. God can make our difficult stuff easier. God’s grace can bring warmth from the inside out, like hot chocolate. He can give us so much more than we even think to ask for! But will He? We wonder with that incredible promise, why would He give grace to me?

God has all the blessings, He could rain them down, but what about my sin and rebellion? That’s when we go back to the cross. God didn’t hold back the most unthinkable blessing given at the most unspeakable cost. If He didn’t hold back the biggest thing, why do you let yourself wonder if He will hold back the little ones?

Prayer prompt: Lord, never let me forget the cross, the undeniable proof that You will never withhold what I need.

May 1, 2026

Daniel 3:17b-18

17 …our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Is God’s goodness dependent on your circumstances? Is God only good if things are good? The guys in this passage told the King of the world that it didn’t matter if God saved them or not. God is still able to save, still worth our worship, and still undeniably good.

It’s possible to have joy in suffering. Maybe not happiness, or pleasure, but joy is possible in suffering. If I suffer, God could stop it. If He doesn’t, that’s His decision and I trust that He is good. Do you trust Him? If not, go to the cross where Jesus entered the furnace for you. Love like that, and mercy like that, only come from a very good God.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I know You are good and You are bigger than my ideas of what is best for me.

April 30, 2026

Psalm 2:12

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Does God get mad? He is certainly extremely forgiving and loving, but is there another side? Anger can be like fire that breaks out and destroys whatever it touches, we’ve seen that kind of anger in ourselves or the Hulk. But that’s not what anger is for, and that’s now how God expresses anger. There is a righteous anger that destroys what is dangerous or evil.

Dads with dad bods can summon incredible strength and resolve when their family is threatened. Shepherds like David famously killed bears and lions attacking their sheep. What would it be like to be before God’s anger? What would it be like to be protected by God’s anger? Isn’t it amazing that we can take refuge in Him?

Prayer prompt: Lord, don’t let me deny Your righteous anger as we see it in Scripture. Let me know and rejoice in the refuge I have in You.

April 29, 2026

Isaiah 53:6

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Sheep aren’t the most respectable creatures. I don’t know much about wild sheep, but the domesticated herds depend on shepherds. They are easy pickings for predators when they go their own way. Compare this passage with Psalm 23. Sheep kept by the Lord don’t have a hard time. They don’t want for anything because they have still waters and green pastures. Why do we leave then? What could we find in our wandering except hunger, thirst, fear and enemies?

Instead of letting us get what we deserve, the Lord has laid on Jesus the penalty of our sin. Jesus had to go without the perfect provision of the Father, had to wander into a wasteland of hunger and thirst, then be dismembered by the enemies hungry for our blood. What kind of love will do that?

Prayer prompt: Lord, keep me close to You and forgive me for the times I wander away.

April 28, 2026

Matthew 26:39

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

In this moment, Jesus looks down and sees the wrath of God to be poured out on the sin of humanity. Can you imagine what He saw? What could possibly make Jesus want God to change His plans, to come up with another way? 

When you and I think about what the bible calls sin, we often order it least to greatest, then indulge in little ones while avoiding bigger ones. Or we just do what we like and justify it by thinking, “Well, at least I’m not as bad as that guy.” Take a moment to think about Jesus’ view, as He looked at the cross to come. How can we call any sin ok?

Prayer prompt: Lord, please forgive me for my sin, and also for how small I make my sin. Teach me to remember the cost your love paid for me.

April 27, 2026

Hebrews 10:24

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds

When life is full of difficulties and struggles, what is your gut reaction? Do you try to handle everything on your own? Do you run away and isolate yourself? How has that worked out for you? People were made to live in community. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were meant to commune with God, each other, and their future children. Sin destroyed those relationships. Eve thought she could have wisdom without God. Adam blamed Eve for his sin. Their kids inherit the dysfunction as Cain kills Abel!

God repairs relationships that sin breaks. He lived, died, and rose to restore our relationship with Him. He discipled twelve men in order to establish the Church, which would reconnect all peoples with each other. If our relationship with God is so important to Him that He would die for us, then we too should desire relationships of that magnitude, with God and each other.

Written by Kyle Tucker

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to love those around me better, and to spur them on toward love and good deeds.

April 25, 2026

1 Chronicles 17:16

16 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

David gets it. He had a roller coaster spiritual life, with wonderful peaks and desolate valleys. David was among other things, a murderer, a liar, and an adulterer. David had nothing to offer God and no way to earn His favor, the good news is that God's love for us is not based on our ability to do good things.

When God sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins, something amazing happened. Jesus took all of our sins from us and clothed us in His own righteousness. As a follower of Jesus, when you sin, God doesn't look at you as broken, gross, or disappointing. He looks at you with the same love and compassion as His own son. What a gracious and loving King we serve!

Written by Jacob Bonesteel

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to remember Jesus’ sacrifice so that I come to You with my sin and for my joy.

April 24, 2026

2 Corinthians 5:15

15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Our rebellion against God is not just outrageous and horrible, it is also tragic. By choosing anything else to love and honor in the place of God, we gave up God. Not just God’s protection or God’s blessings, but God Himself. Every good thing you’ve ever enjoyed or heard of is only good because it comes from Him. How tragic that we walked away from that source and fountain of all good.

But Jesus didn’t leave us there and He doesn’t leave us there now. He died so we can look up from ourselves and enjoy God’s presence once again. He died and was raised so we can go through death back up to the only good there is! Will you do the hard work of looking up from yourself, seeing Jesus’ work for you, and choosing God?

Prayer prompt: Lord, conquer all the things that I choose instead of you so that I will know the joy that only comes from you.

April 23, 2026

Matthew 19:30

30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

In sports, every now and again, an innovator will come with a new look at the game and change everything. In the Brad Pitt movie Moneyball, data analytics brought whole new strategies to baseball and rocketed last place teams to first place. They found a new way to win. The heroes of the Christian faith were martyrs and those who often had very little money or comfort. They seemed to be playing a totally different game than all the people working for this life. Why do Christians have joy, peace, and willingly help enemies?

Jesus taught us to value the next life so much more than this life. The Kingdom that Jesus taught about keeps score in a totally different way. Have you thought through which game you’re playing? Are you seeking rewards now that will fade or with Him that will last forever?

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach me how to live in Your Kingdom rather than by the rules of the world.

April 22, 2026

Psalm 23:1

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

This is a famous opening to a famous poem written by King David from the Old Testament. David started life as a shepherd caring for a few smelly stupid sheep. He probably did a great job because when he met and learned about God, he saw God caring for him in exactly the same way.  If God is your shepherd you shall not want.

Think of that moment after the big Christmas or Thanksgiving meal when all is right with the world and you push back from the table without a single want. Have you ever been that satisfied in your soul rather than just your belly? If you come to Jesus by faith and become one of His sheep He is promising that level of satisfaction. Won’t you seek Him for your pleasure today?

Prayer prompt: Lord, in You I will find true satisfaction. Please draw me to Yourself and reorder the loves in my heart.

April 21, 2026

Matthew 19:29

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

We talk a lot at Hope Church about the proper motivation for serving God, and we should. It’s crucial that we be confident of God’s love as we serve Him. But it’s also possible for love to be enhanced by a gift. Every birthday, my wife shows her love with a thoughtful gift. I love those gifts because they are chosen for me and because I love the giver.

In this verse, God makes it clear that we do have to give things up to follow Him. It’s possible we will have to give up everything. It is necessary that we be willing to give up everything. But in return we get Him. Because He is so good, we can trust Him to give us what we need, and to reward those who seek Him lavishly. What else would a good Father do?

Prayer prompt: Lord, teach my heart to value the real gift you’ve given: Yourself.

April 20, 2026

John 14:26

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

After the Resurrection, Jesus’ disciples had to be thrilled. Their leader had conquered the grave! What could possibly stop them now from taking the Kingdom to every nation in the world? Jesus gave them the command to do just that, then He left. He’s gone and 2,000 years later, we have the exact same job. How do we do it?

Remember the power He has given us to do the impossible. He hasn’t left us alone, He has sent the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, to dwell in our hearts. Far from leaving us, God is now inside us, reminding and teaching us all that Jesus said to us. We are sent to change the world and God Himself is with us every step, every breath, every thought. In Jesus God came close, but with the Spirit, He’s made us His home.

Prayer prompt: Lord, convince me of the power you have given your people by giving us the Helper so we will work with joy and confidence!