Hope Through Honest Prayer

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us when we call!
Psalm 20:1–9

God loves to answer our prayers, even when our words are raw and unfiltered. Instead of trusting our wits and strength to rescue us, we turn in hope to him for help.

Here we see David fashioning a blessing upon all those who pray—that we would be rescued from distress, find help when we need it, experience God’s strong support, find our heart’s desire, and see our plans succeed.

It is okay to have distress. God welcomes our honest worries. It is not a sign of weakness to acknowledge our fears. Instead it reveals where our hope is placed—firmly on the shoulders of the One who shoulders our worries and fears.

God already knows your needs. Nothing you say will surprise him. Hiding your problems or pain only hurts you. Besides, he delights in hearing you and answering your requests. He loves to give you victory in your current conundrum. Because of his name (his character), he will support those who hope in him.

Reflect & Pray

Write a prayer to God listing everything you are worried about. Then thank him for hearing your honest words, and place your hope and trust in God to see you through all things.

Lord, I come to you today, giving you everything that bothers and worries me— even the parts I’d rather keep hidden. Here are my fears, my hurts, and my desires. Please restore my hope. Amen.

Devotional from the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible.