Not ashamed of hoping

A small seedling pushing up through cracked dry ground, its two leaves unfolding patiently toward the light, showing hope growing through patience and experience.

God, you rescue us, and you comfort everyone who grieves. Your will is our peace, and obeying you is real freedom. Please lead us by your Holy Spirit, so we’re free from empty hopes and from grumbling, and from every wrong desire. Through patience, let us learn by experience, and through experience, learn to hope. Let us never be ashamed of hoping in you, our Father and our Friend. May your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen.

Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3–4 (BSB)

Adapted from Rowland Williams, via A Chain of Prayer Across the Ages (1913), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.