Hope in Any CrisisSample

## Living in Hope in a Hopeless World We were created with promise and purpose, with the same responsibilities to illustrate the heart of the Father that Jesus modeled for us all. He said that if we believed in Him, we would do even greater works than He did. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:12–13 The part we can’t afford to forget is the word ask. In other words, prayer. When Jesus gave us the command to pray for it to be “on earth as it is in heaven,” it was first a commandment to pray (Matt. 6:9–10). This is the way of the kingdom of God. We also know that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for us before the Father. “For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26 “It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:34 Sandwiched between those two extraordinary gifts is a promise that is often quoted, “All things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28). Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for us. No wonder all things work for good. Prayer is the greatest place of influence, and the Son and the Spirit take their positions for our sake and illustrate our greatest call. One of the things central to Jesus’ lifestyle of purity and power was His prayer life. He spent time with His Father. This is stated throughout the four Gospels.