{"id":44366,"date":"2025-01-07T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/?post_type=prayerline&#038;p=44366"},"modified":"2025-01-07T16:54:52","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T16:54:52","slug":"hopeful-for-a-reason","status":"publish","type":"prayerline","link":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/","title":{"rendered":"Hopeful for a Reason"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block block-core-html\">\n<iframe title=\"Hopeful for a Reason\" allowtransparency=\"true\" height=\"150\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;\" scrolling=\"no\" data-name=\"pb-iframe-player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.podbean.com\/player-v2\/?i=mim2t-179c4fc-pb&#038;from=pb6admin&#038;share=1&#038;download=1&#038;rtl=0&#038;fonts=Arial&#038;skin=3267a3&#038;font-color=ffffff&#038;logo_link=episode_page&#038;btn-skin=fb0584\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dear friends,&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201c<\/em><em>But this I call to mind,<\/em><em> <\/em><em>and therefore I have hope:<\/em><em> <\/em><em>The steadfast love of the\u202fLORD\u202fnever ceases,<\/em><em> <\/em><em>his mercies never come to an end;<\/em><strong><em><sup>\u202f<\/sup><\/em><\/strong><em>they are new every morning;\u202fgreat is your faithfulness.<\/em><em>\u201d <\/em>(Lamentations 3:21-23, NRSV)&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we step into a new year, with all its challenges and possibilities, I\u2019m reminded of a profound distinction. As Christ\u2019s followers, we\u2019re not optimists naively hoping for a better future that we can&#8217;t bring about. Rather, we\u2019re people of hope, grounded in the truth that God is at work in his world for his glory.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&#8217;s why I remain expectant in prayer for what he will do in 2025.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, as we start this year, I encourage us to follow Jeremiah\u2019s example in Lamentations and take time to intentionally \u201ccall to mind\u201d God\u2019s \u201csteadfast love\u201d and \u201cmercies\u201d \u2013 to you personally and to student ministry around the world. Let\u2019s listen for where God is calling us to partner with him. And let&#8217;s ask for wisdom on how we can all work together in responding to that call so that every part of our global family flourishes and bears fruit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are three areas where I already see God at work \u2013 three opportunities to partner with him and each other and be hopeful for what he will do:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-a04989cf318d54737e9266cbd0938c9e\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a04989cf318d54737e9266cbd0938c9e\"><strong>Leaders Shaped<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God is shaping leaders. In Isaiah 64, the prophet confesses, \u201cWe are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.\u201d But God also invites us to take part in the shaping process. For this year\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/ggd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Global Giving Day<\/a> (2 April), we\u2019ll all be able to get involved in moulding leaders across our fellowship.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One way leaders are being formed is through the training, resources, and support IFES provides to national movements. This August alone, we\u2019ll have several significant training events. We\u2019re planning a conference for students in the <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/region\/mena\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Middle East and North Africa<\/a>, where persecution and opposition are part of daily life. In Latvia, the <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/european-student-festival\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">European Student Festival<\/a> will explore what it means to impact the university in a region that has witnessed widespread spiritual decline and signs of renewal. And a <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/panaf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pan-African conference<\/a> will unite young Francophone African students and professionals to address critical issues like education, creation care, and sustainable development.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-list\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-list-item\">\n<li><em>Give thanks for how God the potter is shaping leaders. Let\u2019s pray for students and graduates who will serve his purposes in local, national, and global leadership roles<\/em><em>. <\/em><em>Let\u2019s ask God to use these events<\/em><em> \u2013 <\/em><em>and others like them<\/em><em> \u2013 <\/em><em>to equip the next generation to lead with vision, humility, courage, faith, and love<\/em><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/div><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-3e22ec0ce56b9c6868bf32a4a77eacc9\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3e22ec0ce56b9c6868bf32a4a77eacc9\"><strong>Initiative Empowered<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God has provided resources for local initiatives. Thanks to generous donors, funds are available to help national movements implement our <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/the-ifes-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Thriving Together strategy<\/a>. They can apply for grants to support projects, camps, conferences, and infrastructure, such as books and technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the Caribbean, for example, a Thriving Together grant enabled ISCCF St Vincent to create an online discipleship course to follow up over 3,000 students who gave their lives to Christ through Evangelistic School Tours earlier in the year. And a grant to CEC Panama has helped fund a two-week mission initiative as part of their plans for pioneering in the Col\u00f3n Province. We look forward to seeing more of how God is at work as we receive <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/thriving-together-grants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more applications this year<\/a><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-list\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-list-item\">\n<li><em>Let\u2019s thank God for these grants and the local initiatives they are empowering. Pray that lives will be touched<\/em><em>, <\/em><em>campuses blessed, and communities transformed<\/em><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/div><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-heading wp-elements-bae040afcaf8ee8d9591f57f20c1fb86\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bae040afcaf8ee8d9591f57f20c1fb86\"><strong>Ministry Enriched<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God is strengthening our collaborative spirit. When local, national, and regional ministries come together, we\u2019re seeing that we can do far more together than we could alone. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/blog\/connections-collaboration-and-creativity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Global Resource Ministry programs<\/a> are a great example of this enrichment \u2013 facilitating collaboration around the fellowship in areas like governance, international student ministry, graduate work, and indigenous support development.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I commend to you the <a href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conexi\u00f3n blog<\/a> that will be published later this week. It powerfully illustrates how IFES is fostering diverse communities of collaboration in a world which feels increasingly divided and isolationist.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-list\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><div class=\"wp-block block-core-list-item\">\n<li><em>So, let\u2019s give thanks for this unity and effective cooperation and pray for an ever deeper enrichment as<\/em><em> <\/em><em>we keep working together, sharing resources, ideas, and support.&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/div><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you for being people of hope. Your commitment, faith, and vision are an encouragement to me. Together, with God\u2019s \u201csteadfast love\u201d at work among us, we have good reason to be hopeful!&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Christ\u2019s power and love,&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tim Adams&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block block-core-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IFES General Secretary<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":44367,"template":"","area":[],"theme":[],"class_list":["post-44366","prayerline","type-prayerline","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hopeful for a Reason &#183; IFES Prayerline<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dear friends,&nbsp; \u201cBut this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the\u202fLORD\u202fnever ceases, his mercies never come to an\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hopeful for a Reason &#183; IFES Prayerline\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dear friends,&nbsp; \u201cBut this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the\u202fLORD\u202fnever ceases, his mercies never come to an\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"IFES\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-07T16:54:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Tim-in-Chile-could-use-as-banner.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/\",\"name\":\"Hopeful for a Reason &#183; IFES Prayerline\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/es\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Tim-in-Chile-could-use-as-banner.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-01-07T08:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-07T16:54:52+00:00\",\"description\":\"Dear friends,&nbsp; \u201cBut this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the\u202fLORD\u202fnever ceases, his mercies never come to an\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Tim-in-Chile-could-use-as-banner.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Tim-in-Chile-could-use-as-banner.jpg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":768},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/hopeful-for-a-reason\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Prayerline\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/prayerline\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Hopeful for a Reason\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/es\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/es\/\",\"name\":\"IFES\",\"description\":\"A movement of students sharing and living out the good news of Jesus Christ. 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