{"id":15931,"date":"2024-12-07T22:19:48","date_gmt":"2024-12-07T21:19:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=15931"},"modified":"2024-12-07T22:19:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-07T21:19:48","slug":"hope-for-today-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2024\/12\/07\/hope-for-today-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Hope for today #8"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15869\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2024\/12\/06\/hope-for-today-7\/hope_for_today_dots_800x124_7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Hope_for_today_dots_800x124_7.png?fit=800%2C124&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,124\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Hope_for_today_dots_800x124_7\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Hope_for_today_dots_800x124_7.png?fit=800%2C124&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Hope_for_today_dots_800x124_8.png?resize=800%2C124&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"124\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15869\" \/><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size:24px;\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Genesis%2024%3A12&#038;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\">Genesis 24:12<\/a><br \/>\n\u2018Then he prayed, \u201cLord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful <strong>today<\/strong>, and show kindness to my master Abraham.\u201d\u2019\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\nAbraham goes to a lot of trouble and expense to find a suitable wife for his 40-year-old bachelor son, Isaac. Abraham is too old to make the long and gruelling journey himself and sends his servant instead, someone he can trust, who knows him intimately and appreciates what is at stake. The servant is not only faithful; he is also God-fearing and wise, recognizing that he won\u2019t succeed in his mission without God\u2019s kindness.<\/p>\n<p>Reflection<br \/>\nBe bold and ask God to make you successful today, relying on his kindness in all you do.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><strong>QUOTE FOR TODAY<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"background-color: #FFFF00;\">\u2026 this faith is a received faith. It did not begin with us, and it will not end with us. &#8230; Like every good story, there is the expectation of a good ending.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>(Glenn Packiam, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Worship-World-Come-Exploring-Contemporary\/dp\/0830849319\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Worship and the World to Come<\/em><\/a>, p. 60)<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Genesis 24:12 \u2018Then he prayed, \u201cLord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.\u201d\u2019 &nbsp; Abraham goes to a lot of trouble and expense to find a suitable wife for his 40-year-old bachelor son, Isaac. Abraham is too old to make the long and gruelling journey himself &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2024\/12\/07\/hope-for-today-8\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Hope for today #8&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[258],"tags":[259],"class_list":["post-15931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-daily-devotion","tag-hopefortoday"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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This is the 100th post since starting the blog on 7 March 2017. \u00a0 MARY'S MAGNIFICAT JOY Luke 1:46-55 \u00a0(The Voice) 46 Mary: My soul lifts up the Lord! 47 My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator! 48 For though I\u2019m God\u2019s humble servant, God\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;bible&quot;","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13993,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2023\/03\/29\/a-quiet-act-of-kindness\/","url_meta":{"origin":15931,"position":1},"title":"A quiet act of kindness","author":"Irene Bom","date":"March 29, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 A small but monumental gesture There\u2019s a vegetarian takeaway place in Brighton called Infinity, where I would eat sometimes. I went there the first time I\u2019d gone out in public after Arthur* had died. There was a woman who worked there and I was always friendly with her, just\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;bible&quot;","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/compassion.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/compassion.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/compassion.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/compassion.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16116,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2025\/02\/24\/leave-your-tree\/","url_meta":{"origin":15931,"position":2},"title":"Leave your tree","author":"Irene Bom","date":"February 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Benediction inspired by Luke 19:1-10 God is the rock to which you cling, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0your hiding place. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This doesn\u2019t mean that now you should go \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0where no one can find you. Instead, this week, I invite you: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0come down out of your own sycamore tree. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jesus is coming to your home,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;benediction&quot;","block_context":{"text":"benediction","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/benediction\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trees_reflected_in_water.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trees_reflected_in_water.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trees_reflected_in_water.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trees_reflected_in_water.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6736,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2019\/01\/15\/grace-upon-grace\/","url_meta":{"origin":15931,"position":3},"title":"Grace upon grace","author":"Irene Bom","date":"January 15, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 From [Christ's] abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. John 1:16 (NLT) \u00a0 Let us then approach God\u2019s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. \u00a0 Hebrews 4:16 (NIVUK) \u00a0 More\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;bible&quot;","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/clouds_and_reflections.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/clouds_and_reflections.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/clouds_and_reflections.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/clouds_and_reflections.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16546,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2025\/08\/18\/strange-and-stranger\/","url_meta":{"origin":15931,"position":4},"title":"Strange and stranger","author":"Irene Bom","date":"August 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Prayer of intercession inspired by Genesis 18:1-10 Lord God Almighty, as Abraham and Sarah extended the gift of hospitality to visiting strangers, open our hearts to share with others, and to graciously receive the fulfillment of your promises. Loving Christ: Help us share the faith. Holy Spirit, Lord God,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;prayer of intercession&quot;","block_context":{"text":"prayer of intercession","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer-of-intercession\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/chairs_boat_yard.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/chairs_boat_yard.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/chairs_boat_yard.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/chairs_boat_yard.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4329,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/02\/25\/wild-hope-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":15931,"position":5},"title":"Wild hope #1","author":"Irene Bom","date":"February 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"On the coast near Belfast, Northern Ireland (Photo: Irene Bom) \u00a0 On 25 February (Lent 2) I preached in my home church in Rotterdam. One of the strands of my sermon was about being in \"God's waiting room\", like Abraham and Sarah were. As part of my sermon I shared\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;prayer&quot;","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/northern_ireland_beach_dogwalker.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/northern_ireland_beach_dogwalker.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/northern_ireland_beach_dogwalker.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/northern_ireland_beach_dogwalker.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Irene Bom","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/irenebom-com\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/daily-devotion\/\" rel=\"category tag\">daily devotion<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Genesis 24:12 \u2018Then he prayed, \u201cLord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.\u201d\u2019 &nbsp; Abraham goes to a lot of trouble and expense to find a suitable wife for his 40-year-old bachelor son, Isaac. Abraham is too old to make the long and gruelling journey himself&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15931"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15931\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}