After the year we’ve just had, we desperately hope for change, don’t we? Hope that transcends waiting to receive an inoculation with the vaccine. Hope that lingers long after spring arrives or Covid-19 is history. Perhaps we need a hefty dose of “respair” to inoculate our souls?

Respair is a wonderful 16th century term I’ve discovered. It means “fresh hope and recovery from despair.” It’s so apt for the hard days we’re living through. May your heart be encouraged by the thought of renewal to come as we walk into the days ahead with our ever-faithful, hope-offering God.

Respair
 
Let wounds become repaired, 
 battle scars soothed by love,
 fear vanquished by faith. Let there
 be poured out rest and grace,

 sweet fragrance of change in the air
 as we move from a dark, dark place
 of sadness, despair and loss
 toward respair being birthed in us.

 Let our tears be dried,
 aching hearts and broken
 bodies restored to life,
 worried minds given the balm

 of peace, the solace of holy
 ease. Let laughter ring out, 
 not as a hollow-sounding note 
 but a sign we really can cope.

 Let us welcome in the new 
 that stands hovering,
 waiting on the doorstep, 
 and show we’re not afraid 

 to embrace hope, and start
 again. We're not caught out
 by fiery anxiety, but captivated 
 by a lasting kind of inner joy.

 Because hope, love, peace 
 and joy are already here,
 they already reside 
 within our fractured souls, 

 as we give our lives to Christ,
 then trust he is able to mend,
 repair the damage life throws 
 at us—and make us whole again.
 © joylenton

“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 40:31 NIV

May the words below help you stay hopeful in 2021.

Prayer Whisper: Streams in the wasteland

“I am God of the now. Behold, I am doing a new thing. Can you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is yet to come.

As you live more in day-tight compartments, so you will find Me being active, and become more aware of My presence. Begin each day anew. Let your heart fill with expectancy. Watch and see what I will do. Surrender your hopes, dreams and plans into My hands and trust Me for the outcome.”

“Continue to walk closely with Me and believe that I am preparing the path before you. Whether it is strewn with heavy boulders, littered with pebbles or smooth and easy, My hand is in it all.

Many of My children spend years kicking dust and sand in the wilderness. I meet powerfully with them there. Those years are never wasted, nor as barren and bleak as they might seem.

Much fruit develops in arid places when you walk closely with Me. These are growing times, spaces and places in your life. Periods to lie fallow while I prepare you for the next step.”

“My work cannot be rushed. Trust me to know what I am doing and what I will accomplish in you. A life surrendered to Me is a beautiful thing to bring praise and glory to My name. And when you emerge out the other side of your valley, I will bring you into a green and spacious place, an area of influence and renewed purpose.

Continue to trust and obey as you have extra zest in your step. Do not forget the Lord your God who led you by the hand and kept you safe. Remaining by My side is vital to receive impartation and anointing for today, and maintain a heart at rest and peace in Me.”

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”— 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV


PS: “Renew” is my new given word for 2021. The Prayer Whisper above is excerpted from my ‘Embracing Hope’ book. The Kindle version is on special offer from January 11th to January 18th. *If you click on the image below you can download a free pdf excerpt to read! My gift to you for the new year.* xo 😉💟

Embracing Hope excerpt (C) joylenton