Dear Gardeners, we have been summoned in our garden sanctuaries to join the chorus of prayers lifted up this day, the National Day of Prayer 2025. What a special assignment to come together with our countrymen, turning to our God of hope, calling for His unrivaled overflow of hope streaming to and through all hearts.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 HCSB
What does it look like when every citizen of our nation overflows with hope? Doesn’t this prayer by its nature flush out all darkness, flooding and loosening the foothold of despair everywhere? O Father, may we see our land as if our garden hoses are turned on full, as if our watering cans have spilled over and poured out. Let us be giddy with splashing gazes towards the horizons and heavens above in a refreshed connection with God and His gushing Spirit. Let our nation be transformed today by the unison of sounding Your Holy Word from Romans 15:13, one mind and one voice all together.
Pour Out to the God of Hope*
Though today is a national call to prayer throughout our 50 United States, the National Day of Prayer Task Force is guiding us to pray personally. Yes, a flood of issues overwhelms our federal government, yet the prayer leaders are encouraging us to consider this day as a personal appointment with the God of hope, to pour out our thoughts and cares and problems and fears along with praises for the One we believe, in whom we can trust to hear us and help us.
Let us watch and see a person-by-person infusion of hope, a grassroots reliance on Holy Spirit to move in and uplift our countenances, freshening us in courage, the facets of His Spirit empowering us to carry on.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him: a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and power, a Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord and his delight will be the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2-3 NCB
Click here for the National Day of Prayer 7-Day Devotional and Prayer Guide
Papyrus, Garden Symbol of Hope
Speaking of grassroots, remember that papyrus is a plant symbolizing hope in Scripture, a fancifully formed grass growing at water’s edge.
Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. Job 8:11-13 NIV
Papyrus, Cyperus papyrus, gives us a graphic testimony, that life without God’s hope-infusion is like a water-loving grass trying to grow in a dry bed: Dead. Enjoy this epic, Egyptian plant in your garden from spring to first freeze as a personal reminder to pray: Dear Father, deliver us from dead-end attempts to live without You, O God of hope.
Papyrus plants require abundant, even floods of water to grow, drawing the pattern that God and his Word are essential to hope (Psalm 119:43, 49)…Hope in God will see us through every crisis to times of joy and laughter (Job 8:21), the impish stands of papyrus stalks a testimony to the gladness of God to return situations to refreshing vitality (Psalm 119:50).
From My Father is the Gardener, “Source of Hope,” pages 87-88
find more information on growing papyrus in the Garden in Delight Plant Guide
Closing Prayer
O God of hope, thank You for the blessings You put in our lives, especially today, living in a nation formed and founded by looking to You. Thank You that we can freely worship You and assemble together to praise and pray to You. Thank You for the incredible provision in today’s Word, that as we continue trusting You, You will flood us with hope—and joy and peace (Romans 15:13). We don’t have to wait for a perfect circumstance, perfect performance, or problem-free passage to be filled with hope. You, God of hope, are ever-present with us. May all the hope that I experience in my garden point me always to You, in papyrus and all my plantings! God bless America, each and every American, and empower us to bless the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
In God We Trust
*Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled is the theme from the National Day of Prayer Task Force 2025, formed from Romans 15:13. Join the National Day of Prayer Broadcast at 8 pm ET.
Enjoy garden devotions featuring papyrus on page 87 and on Romans 15:13 on page 82 of My Father is the Gardener, Devotions in Botany and Gardening of the Bible
Inspired for more Garden Prayers? Read The Wheat Prayers, Parable of the Sower Revival Prayer Guide, and July 4th Prayer to Ponder
Enjoy a whole devotional series devoted to hope in Find Garden Hope
Find more information on growing papyrus in your garden in the Garden in Delight Plant Guide
Read about my first papyrus plant in Spring News 2022 and overwintering these frost tender grasses in Winter News 2025
Proven Winners® Graceful Grasses® is my favorite source for papyrus plants – sold online or check availability at your local nursery. A Bible garden beauty so endearing, I’ve even crammed them in my suitcase to bring home, LOL!
Photo Credits: ©Shelley S. Cramm
HCSB denotes Scripture quotations taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
NCB denotes Scripture taken from the SAINT JOSEPH NEW CATHOLIC BIBLE® Copyright © 2019 by Catholic Book Publishing Corp. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
NIV denotes Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®
