Romans 12:12 is a power-packed verse with three short phrases that are clarion calls to action for those of us that love the ministry of Kids Hope USA! Indeed, the whole of Romans chapter 12 is worth a slow and close read; it is a remarkable text.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Let’s unpack those three in reverse order, starting with being faithful in prayer. In describing the mission of Kids Hope USA, it is easy to focus on the importance of the hour that mentors spend one-on-one with children each week. But, for those of us that know the ministry well, we appreciate the profound effects on that relationship by the addition of a prayer partner. Many people refer to Kids Hope USA as a ‘relationship wrapped in prayer.’ Thanks to each of you that serve as a prayer partner and your faithful prayers for your mentor and child. Thanks too for praying for families, teachers, pastors and other Kids Hope USA volunteers. Your prayers are powerful and they make a difference!
The middle of verse 12 calls us to be patient in affliction. This is a hard one right now for many of us at Kids Hope USA, as we are feeling righteously impatient for the time when we can once again, connect with our students in-person in their schools. Even so, the verse calls us to patience, which means waiting and watching. Thanks to our prayer partners for asking God for patience as we wait.
Finally, we are called to be joyful in hope. As the pandemic wears on, it may seem harder to maintain both joy and hope in the face of the isolation, uncertainty and fear. We may feel less connected to our students this year, as we can’t see them in person like we have in the past. Thanks to our prayer partners for reminding us that we can bring both joy and hope to our Kids Hope friendships! Thank you for praying that mentors can communicate their support, encouragement and love to children no matter how they are able to connect this year.
To all of you that volunteer for Kids Hope USA programs all over the country, we are grateful for you! Join me in asking God to help us be joyful in hope, patient in times of trouble and faithful in prayer!
With gratitude, Karen Pearson