A Prayer about Being Subpoenaed to Hope
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. (Eph. 1:18 NIV)
Merciful Father, if a sheriff knocked at my door this morning with a subpoena, I’d be a bit unnerved. But today, like every day, the gospel is knocking at my door to subpoena me to hope. Nothing is more settling and centering.
Thanks for making hope a calling. You haven’t just extended a general notification or given me a polite invitation. I am called to hope in Jesus, just as surely as you called me to a saving knowledge of his grace and will call me to an eternal celebration of your presence one day. I wouldn’t think of ignoring a summons from the sheriff; I’d be crazy to ignore a summons from you.
This morning I’ll gladly make myself a target of Paul’s petition. Open the eyes of my heart right now. Wipe the morning crud from my eyes. Things seem a bit blurry. I’m having a hard time focusing. Help me to see Jesus clearly today. I’m glad to see more of heaven and all the amazing stuff you’re got planned for us in the new heaven and new earth. But just show me more of Jesus as my righteousness, as my constant intercessor, as my bridegroom. That will be enough, more than enough.
Free me from fixing my gaze on circumstances and people. I tend to give them way too much power over my heart. Paul wrote these words of encouragement from a Roman prison, not from a Mediterranean condo. What do I have to complain about? I have real needs, but you give an even greater hope.
Bring enlightenment where there’s been dullness and myopia of late. Throw the curtains all the way open; lift all the clouds; do more laser surgery on the eyes of my heart, if need be. Just show me more of Jesus— that’s all I really need. I pray in his tender and triumphant name.
Amen.