Romans 12:12 English Standard Version (ESV) Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Do you find it difficult to pray in the midst of turmoil?
Paul ties three very different things together as if there is a binding agent that allows us to experience them all at the same time. Call it what you may, but for me it is faith.
I can rejoice when I have not seen the promises of God come into being because of what I have seen God do already in my life. Nothing makes us rest assured in promises to come as much as having some of them been real in this relationship. Faith is an active agent of hope.
Tribulations come in many forms and we all experience it in some form. The first usage of the word is the Hebrew word sar. Its first usage means narrow or tight. That is the direct opposite of having options. Hopelessness often accompanies tribulations. While the situation tries to steal our hope, faith reminds us that our hope is in God, not our situation. This too shall pass.
Have we ever tried to be constant in prayer? If we think of prayer as words uttered then we will discover ourselves without words sooner than later. Luke reminds us in Acts 16:13 that prayer can be seen as a place not unlike Jesus advising us to enter our prayer closet. Faith allows us to be mindful of His abiding presence and that He will never leave us nor forsake us, no matter what the circumstances.
The God of peace has already settled every issue to His satisfaction. Faith allows us to accept His will, knowing that everything works together by faith towards our good.
Romans 8:26-28 English Standard Version
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.