Much of what is expressed these days as hoping in the Lord is little more than wishing that the Lord would do as we want him to do for us. This thinking is rather like taking a chance on the lottery—someone is eventually going to win this thing, and perhaps it will be me. The Psalmist offers a different understanding of how one ought to hope in the world of faith, as we read in 147.11: The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Remember that to fear the Lord is not to be afraid of him, but to know him, to love him, and to trust him with your life. I happened across an unusual prayer recently—a shocking prayer, which I have begun to offer at both of the Daily Offices of Prayer each day. I want to include that prayer here. Pray this as a tool for directing our thinking in yet another way in reflecting on how the Lord wants to have us respond to him.

“Father, I want to see Jesus, I want to know Jesus. Lord, if I never know, see, or experience your power, it’ll be okay—I just want to be in your presence. I want you for who you are, not for what you do. Holy Spirit, come with Jesus, King of glory, come in. Touch me with your glory; let your glory expose my sin. Let your glory anoint me and bring forth change. Oh, Jesus, Jesus, I need your manifest presence. I want your presence to fill my life. I want a relationship with you.”

“Forgive me for wanting your hand more than your face. I repent for not knowing you. Forgive me for not having intimacy with you. Forgive me for being out of hunger for you. I want to ascend the holy hill and stand in the river of your glory. I want to be in fellowship with you, and I want to make you first in everything. I’ve been out of the glory; I want in! I want my heart afire and ablaze with passion for you. I want your glory alone to radically change me. I desire nothing more than your presence. I thank you for the glory of God filling my life anew. God, show me your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.” Now that is a HOPE-FILLED CRY!