A Prayer to Be Anchored in Hope
By Jessica Van Roekel
"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." - Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV
Have you ever drifted down a river in a boat? When we drift, we are at the mercy of the river current. We risk collision with floating tree trunks or shallow shores. If we do sit with the engine off, the driver needs to stay alert to steer the boat from danger. Drifting might feel relaxing to the passengers, but it isn’t the safest way to boat.
We can find ourselves drifting in our Christian walk too. Humdrum days with the same routines and rhythms send us on autopilot. We check out and let life happen to us. We wake up on a Monday and before we know it, it’s Friday, and we wonder where the week, the month, and the year has gone. Drifting through our days without thought to where we’re headed leads us to the shallows, where we risk running aground.
The hardships we face in our day to day—the relationships that feel like rough grit sandpaper, the depleted bank account balance and the relentless bills, or our own internal struggle for spiritual growth can cause us to drift through life. We focus on survival and hope for a better day tomorrow.
When we place our hope in things and elusive maybes rather than the guarantee we find in Jesus, we struggle to feel secure in him. We wonder where he is in our struggles. We question whether he cares so we drift through our days. Yet, the writer of Hebrews assures us that we have a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul.
Our soul can be defined by our will, attitudes, and emotions. It’s where we process how we feel, what our responses are, and what choices we make. So much of what happens on the outside begins on the inside. Every action makes its roots in a thought, a decision of will, or an attitude. Our soul needs the anchor that we find in Jesus and all that he can do.
Isaiah 9:6 contains a wonderful prophecy about the Messiah that Jesus fulfilled. Isaiah records four names that describe him: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, possesses perfect wisdom. As we draw near to him, he can lead us into a right relationship with God. We don’t have to drift through our daily lives but can turn to him and seek him for wisdom in each situation we face.
In a world filled with anxiety, the Prince of Peace holds so much hope for us. It’s not that our anxious situations will magically be removed; it’s more that our internal response to our situations can be washed with his peace. Because his peace is part of the hope that anchors us, we can face our anxiety-inducing events knowing that his peace holds us still. We can admit our apprehensions, exercise our faith, and receive his peace.
When we long for protection, we can turn our hopes to the Everlasting Father. Jesus was the perfect reflection of the Father, who loves, protects, and supplies our needs. He is mighty to save and able to conquer our greatest fears to give us the victory we need. Our hope in him holds us secure.
Life holds challenging and somewhat disconcerting experiences. A perfect life is a mirage. When we let go of holding onto the hopes of a trouble-free life, we stop drifting along. It’s when we remember that Jesus is the anchor for our soul we can weather the storms that come and know that we are secure. We are held by him, and no matter what we face, we are safe.
Let's pray:
Holy God,
We drift in need of your hope that anchors us securely when we face the troubles of life. Let us remember that wisdom, might, care, and peace come when we place our hope in you. Forgive us when we forget to remember that our hope is found in you, not in outcomes, answered prayers, or a perfect life. You are the anchor for our souls, and we are so grateful.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Related:
J.R.R. Tolkien and the Discipline of Hope
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