Antidote to Discouragement – The Presidential Prayer Team

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13

The apostle Paul spent time writing to the Roman church encouraging them to help one another: Let the stronger in faith be an encourager to the one who hasn’t quite come that far in his beliefs. The reference has been to non-doctrinal matters, differences on positions of secondary importance. Paul taught them to aim for unity even with diverse levels of maturity of faith.

In chapter 15, Paul continues his explanation of the ministry of serving others instead of being concerned about pleasing yourself. “Even Christ did not please Himself” (Romans 15:3). When you consider how discouraged people are today, not just those who do not know Christ as Savior but those who are believers, it is incumbent upon you who to bring a message of encouragement to those who falter. Share how you have been reassured by the God of hope and filled with joy and peace, even in times of trial. Reassure them of God’s message of joy and peace.

If you are one who sometimes finds yourself drifting into discouragement, be uplifted by Paul’s words: “So that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). You know how this “story” ends for the believer; the Lord “will make all things new” (Revelation 21, 22). Delve into the Word of God and internalize all He can be for you in this life. Exercise your faith with prayer so that you, as you grow stronger, you are able to encourage to others. Then pray for those in this nation who struggle in their faith, or have no faith at all, that they may know and love the God of hope!

Today’s Verse: Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-18, 23-24

⁹For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

¹²We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. ¹⁵See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

²³Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.