What is H.O.P?

While in Arizona last winter I met a wonderful group of faith-filled Sisters in Christ. We studied and prayed together every week. One day as we were listing the prayer requests someone said “HOP for my family”. I asked what that meant. She told me Hedge of Protection.

We can pray H.O.P. – Hedge of Protection over our friends and family. (click to tweet this)

What a wonderful easy way to remember how to pray for our family and friends.

Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you (Psalm 5:11, NIV).

Now I see that H.O.P in action. Here are a few examples.

A husband falls suddenly. He is taken to the hospital. After tests the doctors discover he has sleep apnea. That could have led to a heart attack, stroke and certain death. Now, they have the solution – a CPAP machine. If it wasn’t for the fall? There is the hedge of protection at work with our loving God.

A friend goes in for an appendectomy and they discover a cancerous tumour on her kidney. Surgery in time. Hedge of Protection.

A family member has trouble with an infection on his toe which is getting worse. After tests it is found he has a cancerous tumour on his colon. Operation. In time. No cancer left. H.O.P.

May we all use this tiny word -HOP, remembering it is our God who watches over us. It is Jesus who intercedes for us. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks into our hearts.

Prayer:

Thank you Lord Jesus, for giving us this wonderful way to connect with our Father. We appreciate all You have done for us so we can talk to God. We pray a hedge of protection over our family and friends. We thank You for watching over us. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

Janis Cox

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.

What does Undergirded by Prayer Mean? (underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com)
What Do You Say? – Thank you. (underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com)
How to Use Hymns to Pray (underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com)

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6 comments

Mel Caldicott says:

July 22, 2013 at 2:30 AM

This is very inspiring and I love this simple acronym to help us to remember this important thing we can do for our loved ones. Thanks for linking up at Essential Fridays. Blessings

1. Janis Cox says:
  
  July 24, 2013 at 8:08 PM
  
  Mel,
  Thank you. I loved acronyms as they do help me remember concepts from the Bible.
  Blessings,
  Janis
  
aljung72 says:

July 21, 2013 at 5:33 AM

Hi Janis–thanks for stopping by my blog. I love your focus on prayer. Great reminder of praying for the HOP prayer for others. I do it for my family every week and need to be more faithful in doing for others. Blessings!

1. Janis Cox says:
  
  July 24, 2013 at 8:09 PM
  
  Thanks so much. Just reminding one another is good.
  Blessings,
  Janis
  
moonstarcarmencs says:

July 19, 2013 at 8:53 AM

My husband just had a routine colonoscopy and found out that his blood pressure was through the roof…

1. Janis Cox says:
  
  July 19, 2013 at 1:40 PM
  
  Praying for your hubby – for his peace of mind, for wisdom for the doctors and knowing that the plan He has is a good one.
  Blessings,
  Janis