17th - 23rd March 2025
It all begins with an idea.
In this week’s prayer diary, I want to think about two common emotions: hope and anxiety. These emotions are considered the only ‘knowledge-precluding’ emotions that people experience: we feel hopeful or anxious only when we do not know what is going to happen, when the outcome is uncertain. Hope must therefore involve understanding that the hoped-for outcome might not happen; anxiety relies on the possibility of the threatening outcome not happening.
For example, we hope for sunshine when driving to the North Coast, knowing full well that there is a strong possibility that this won’t happen. In the same way, we might feel anxious about taking a flight in an aeroplane - the thought of the plane crashing might cause us to feel fearful but, if asked, we wouldn’t get on the plane if a crash was inevitable; in anxiety, the focus is on the uncertainty surrounding the threat: whether it will in fact occur. And being complex beings, it is quite possible for us to experience both emotions simultaneously about the same event: as long as the future remains uncertain, we might hope for the best and still be anxious that events do not unfold as we hope they will.
Are Christians immune to experiencing hope and anxiety? The Bible would strongly suggest that we are not. However, I believe Jesus calls us to think differently about both of these emotions. In addition to offering comfort, Jesus points out the futility of our anxieties by asking, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” as well as reminding us of the Father’s omnipotence: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Jesus understands that our anxieties come from our uncertainty about the future and calls us to place our trust in the One who fully knows the plans He has for us: plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29).
I have always loved Stuart Townend’s song, ‘There is a Hope’. Townend, speaking about this song, says that, for Christians, hope has a very different definition to the description above:
“When the Bible talks about hope, it talks about something that is certain and can perhaps be broken down into two different certainties. The first is that no matter where we go and what we do in this life, God will be with us, and He will love us. The second is that when this life is over, we will not perish but will spend eternity at home with Christ. These certainties remain ‘hopes’ not because they may or may not come to fruition, but because they haven’t been fully realised yet.”
Benjamin Franklin famously said, “In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.” However, the Bible challenges this statement. The hope that God’s Word refers to is a confident expectation that God’s promises will one day be fully realised. For the Christian, future certainties are not exclusive to Franklin’s negative events; we have positive future certainties which transform our perspective on even the most anxious of situations. As Tim Keller said, when facing his own terminal diagnosis, “If Jesus was really and truly raised from the dead (and he was!), then everything will, finally, be all right.”
Written by Nick Gardner
MONDAY
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
Heavenly Father, you know that, because our minds are finite, we are prone to feel anxious. We want to know what will happen today, tomorrow, next week. Help me today to bring these situations before you with thanksgiving, in anticipation of your promised peace. Amen.
TUESDAY
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Heavenly Father, as I approach today, it is very easy for my mind to be pulled in numerous directions, often feeling uncertain about how I should think, feel or act in differing circumstances. Thank you that this verse provides wise guidance about what things should occupy my thoughts today. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matthew 10: 28-31
Heavenly Father, so often we seek to control our circumstances. In particular, these tend to focus on the body: food and clothing, health and disease. Today I place these concerns in your hands, knowing that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Amen.
THURSDAY
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Romans 8: 22-25
Heavenly Father, as I see the evidence of sin within me and all around me, give me patience as I wait for Christ’s return and the redemption of my body. Thank you that I can wait in confident expectation. Amen.
FRIDAY
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8: 26-27
Heavenly Father, I know that I do not face today in my own strength. I don’t even have to pray in my own strength. I don’t know what today will bring; I therefore simply ask that you would let me face what you send in the strength you supply. Amen.
SATURDAY
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
Heavenly Father, all too often we limit your power in our minds. We ask you to fix our problems in the way we think is best. Today, help me to know your thoughts are always wiser and your ways are always better than mine. When I fear what tomorrow may bring, remind me You’re the King of Kings. Amen.
SUNDAY
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31
Heavenly Father, I pray for strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow as I meditate on your promises and my certain future hope. Thank you for your faithfulness to me this week and always. Amen.