Praying December

Praying the Promise

  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.—Luke 2:4-6 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, the time is drawing close. We are on the homestretch and Christmas is only a few days away. Many are taking stock: have they done everything they need to do? How much more do they need to do? Is there enough time left to accomplish the things on their to-do list? Depending on how we answer these questions can determine whether we are feeling a sense of peace and accomplishment or whether we are feeling anxious and overwhelmed.

Gracious Lord, Joseph and Mary traveled such a long distance for one reason: to participate in the census that had been ordered by Caesar Augustus. But as they drew close to Bethlehem it was apparent the baby Mary was carrying was not going to wait any longer: the Savior of the world was coming, census or no census! And at that point all Joseph could think of was locating shelter for his pregnant and laboring wife. Nothing mattered more than finding a place where Mary could deliver and the baby could be born. 

Father, no matter how we have spent these past few weeks, how much remains on our to-do list, may we look at those manger scenes popping up everywhere, and realize nothing else matters more than the one who came to save us from our darkness, despair and sin. Nothing matters more than that baby who came thousands of years ago. Nothing matters more than the love gift You sent us from heaven.

As the time shortens, Father, no matter how much we have left to do, may we find moments to pause and consider what Christmas is all about. May we rejoice in knowing we don’t have to keep looking for the perfect gift because the perfect gift has already been sent and provided. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Going Deeper:

Where are you today: feeling accomplished and peaceful or anxious and overwhelmed; has anything overshadowed the reason for the season?    

Praying the Promise

  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men—Luke 2:13-14 (KJV)

Heavenly Father, thank You for the goodwill You demonstrated in sending Your Son to earth. When those joyful angels appeared before the shepherds their praise of You and Your goodwill toward humanity rang out. Immediately, the shepherds ran—they did not walk and they did not delay—to see this “good will” the angels announced. And they found Him, a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger inside a chilly stable. They discovered like we all have that the best gifts can come in the smallest most humbly wrapped packages.

Thank You for the good will You continue to pour out to us from heaven, Lord. You not only pour out spiritual gifts like peace, and joy, and love but You provide physical gifts needed as we journey back home to You. 

We pray, may Your good will that is felt and seen at Christmas time remain with us always as we now become ambassadors of good will. Just like Christ embodied Your good will to the poor, the sick, the crippled, the lost, the lonely, the disenfranchised, help us to follow His example and do good towards others, whether they are fellow believers or not. 

Father, help us to spread cheer and be instruments of Your peace and love others with pure love. May the good will we do make the lives and circumstances of others more bearable. Even when we aren’t sure whether our acts of good will have made a difference may we always know that even the smallest act of kindness and compassion shows Your light to those who are suffering and in darkness. In Jesus; name. Amen 

Going Deeper:

Have you recognized opportunities to share and show good will towards others thins Christmas time? 

Praying the Promise

 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world So Joseph also went up from the town o Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David because he belonged to the house and line of David…Luke 2:1,4 (NIV)  

Heavenly Father, You have given us many traditions to cherish. Even when we resist conformity in other ways, Christmas draws us back with joy to practices we have held since childhood. 

Traditions come in many forms: Sacred traditions You have commanded, such a Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which strengthen the foundation of our faith; Spreading traditions, as we study Your Word and share it with others; and Godly traditions passed faithfully from one generation to the next. Yet, there are also worldly traditions—manmade customs that add nothing to our spiritual growth, development or faith.

Lord, in the midst of Christmas busyness—gift buying, visiting friends, baking, preparing meals, and gathering with loved ones—help me to remain intentional about spending time with You. Guard my heart so that the lights, sounds and festivities never distract me from Your presence. Let my thoughts continually return to Your love and blessings, especially the gift of Your Son Jesus, sent to save me from sin.

Father, keep me from being drawn into empty traditions of people. Instead, may the traditions I embrace and observe always glorify You and honor Christ. Thank You for the practices You have taught me—may they strengthen my faith and serve as a witness that draws others closer to You.  

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen 

Going Deeper:

What traditions do you return and keep at Christmas? Do they help draw you closer to God or lead you away from Him?    

Praying the Promise

  In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be—Luke 1:26-29 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, we often wonder, “Who am I that You would choose me in this way?” It is humbling to realize that You call ordinary people—those without fame, status, or worldly achievements—to do extraordinary things for Your glory. The Christmas story in the Gospels are wonderful examples where we can be reminded how You work and move through the ordinary and common.  

Lord, You remind us that true worth is not measured by the world’s standards but by Your eyes. You see each of us as capable, valuable, and wonderfully made. Though we may feel unworthy on our own, through Christ Jesus we are made worthy and equipped for the work You set before us.

May our hearts hold both humility and astonishment at Your calling, yet also a confident assurance that if You have chosen us, You will strengthen us; as it has been said You will not send us where You have not already gone before us. Help us to accept the honor of serving You with grace, and to faithfully carry out the tasks You have entrusted to us. In Jesus’ name We pray. Amen 

Going Deeper:

Have you ever allowed feelings of unworthiness to get in the way of accepting a task God was giving you to do?  

Praying the Promise

  Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him—Luke 2:25 (ESV) 

Heavenly Father, these are uncertain times. Yet, even in times of uncertainty, I choose to place my hope in You continually. Father, You are my refuge in stormy times, my strength when my flesh is weak; You are the anchor and keeper of my soul. I am steadied because of Your presence with and within me. You keep me grounded and each day I will lift my voice in praise, not only in the best of times, but also in the worst of times. 

Father God, I recognize I have an arch enemy who would love to keep me from having continual hope. Even my own flesh at times causes me to look away from You making my hope rise and fall, swell and wane, yet I pray against the flesh’s fears and fickleness and pray to hope in You more and more. 

Father, help me to see Your hand at work in every season of my life. Teach me to trust Your timing, to rest in Your promises and to rejoice in Your goodness which is always at work in my life and circumstances. Even when I cannot see it, You are there working life out on my behalf. 

Simeon had a hope that did not grow faint. The prophetess Anna’s hope never wavered. Their continual hope was rewarded. I know You will reward my continual hope also. I pray, may my heart overflow with hope and may my life be a testimony of Your unfailing love. 

Father God, I want to hope in You continually. Forgive me for the times that I waver; keep me from hopelessness. You have proven that You are worthy—I’m the one who fails. May my hope in You increase both in quantity and intensity. Let my witness of Your goodness be an inspiration to others to turn toward You and they too will have continual hope and praise. In the name of Jesus my Lord and Savior. Amen

Going Deeper:

On a scale of 0-10, with 0 being non-existent and 10 being great and glowing, where is your hope in God?   

Praying the Promise

For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV)

Lord Jesus, You left Your home above: the richness and riches, beauty and perfection to dwell on earth. You traded kingly robes for rags. You chose the poverty of earthly conditions over the prosperity and fullness of heaven. From the time You entered the earth’s atmosphere in human flesh You encountered the brokenness, chaos, and darkness of earth. You saw how lost people could be, how confused we are about which way is the right way to go and what voice will guide us. You came to carry our burdens and bear our sicknesses and pain. You grieved that not everyone wants saving, and far too many find the ways of this world—the momentary—preferable over what is deeper and eternal. No wonder You looked out over the city of Jerusalem and wept.

As I remember and rejoice how You came into this world and the choices You made daily, may I be inspired to choose the path that helps me form a deeper, more meaningful connection to You and Heaven. Even as I enjoy the external beauty around me this season, may I spend time considering where my heart is and how I will live out my earthly life in a way that glorifies God.

Thank You Jesus for Christmas that inspires me to realign my priorities and choose joys that last and do not fade once the season is over. In Your most holy name, I pray. Amen       

Going Deeper

Are you taking time for reflection that leads to recommitment to faith values?     

Praying the Promise

 The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing—Zephaniah 3:17 

Heavenly Father, sometimes a Christmas song can minister to our soul. The words and music can touch us in deep places and ways mere words cannot. There’s nothing like a Christmas song when it’s beautifully sung.

What a powerful song and message the angels sang the night Jesus our Lord was born. 

How truly awesome that must have been for the shepherds out there tending their flocks. Not much exciting happened to shepherds. Yet, in the middle of an otherwise ordinary, chilly night, breaking through all the darkness, suddenly there was a band of heavenly angels breaking out in song! 

Thank You Father for the music that blesses us our otherwise ordinary existences. Thank You for the songs of the angels that stir and soothe our emotions. Thank You for ministering to us through music even today; music that touches our soul and calms our nerves, quells our anxiety and bespeaks Your love. Thank You for this lovely and loving reminder through the prophet Zephaniah of the depth of Your affection; that You delight in us and take joy in us. 

At Christmas we have the sights, the smells, the things we can touch and taste and we have the blessing of music that reminds us You are still delighting in us through Your Son Jesus our beautiful Savior in whose name we pray. Amen 

Going Deeper:

Are you making time to listen to Christmas music that bespeaks God’s love and delight for you? 

Praying the Promise

 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” So king David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. When Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David he bowed down to pay him honor. Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”—2 Samuel 9:3-6,7 (NIV) 

Heavenly Father, when David became king and lived in the royal palace, he remembered the crippled son of his close friend Jonathan who had died in battle. David brought Mephibosheth to live in Jerusalem, made sure he was present at meals and cared for all the days of his life. What a beautiful way to honor the life of his friend Jonathan! What a generous heart David had! 

Heavenly Father, Christmas time is a time of year many families are gathered, enjoying fellowship and delicious food. Not only is there an abundance of food but an abundance of memories and love being shared and demonstrated during these times. 

Today, Lord, I’m thinking of those who don’t have this ability to gather with family or friends. They may be alone or isolated because of special conditions or for various reasons. I pray, God, not only at Christmas but all year, help me to remember those who may not have family or friends to share a meal. May I be as generous as King David and include someone who would otherwise be alone. May I focus on the disadvantaged this year. 

Just as David restored Mephibosheth’s land and allowed him to live in Jerusalem, where he was treated as one of David’s sons and ate at the king’s table. You sent Your Son Jesus to live and die that we will not only be redeemed and restored from our sin condition, but that we will be able to sit at Your banquet table in heaven where our sickness and sorrows will be no more; we praise and thank You Lord that there will be no isolation or loneliness in heaven. I pray, lead me to someone I can invite to a special meal so that they may experience Your love, warmth and inclusion. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Going Deeper:

Is there someone disadvantaged or alone that’s on your invitation list? 

Praying the Promise

 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him—Matthew 2:2-3 (NIV) 

Dear Jesus, the wisemen brought You gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Those treasures were not only befitting for the King of kings they had some very practical value as well. They weren’t to be set aside in a trust or dowry for You when You were older, they would be useful and practical resources for Your family as Joseph and Mary protected You and needed to move from place to place for the first part of Your life. What a blessing to realize that some of the best gifts we can give others can have a sense of practicality also.  

The wisemen brought costly gifts from their countries but their costliest and most valuable gift was their worship. As they knelt before the You their worship was the most beautiful gift they possessed. They may have had special status and recognition in their own countries, but they knew they were before The Wise One! The King of all kings and Lord of all lords and they humbly knelt before You. We bless them for the way they honored You Jesus.

Like the wisemen the greatest gift I can bring You is my worship. The worship of my heart is more valuable than any gift I can offer You, more valuable than any sizeable check I can put in the offering plate, more valuable than my tithes and offerings or what I contribute to the ministries or charities before me. 

The wisemen followed the light of the star, they journeyed far, carrying gifts fit for a King, may I bring You treasures of my heart: my love, my obedience, and my trust. May I always keep in mind an offering of worship to You is the highest and most valuable gift I can bring. In Your holy Name I pray. Amen 

Going Deeper

What is the treasure and gift you bring to the Lord? 

Praying the Promise

 And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger—Luke 2:12 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, how many times we have prayed, “God, if You’re listening give me a sign!” “God, if You’re there, give me a sign!” “God, if You care about my life and what I’m going through, please give me a sign!”  

Even the most faith-filled and spirit-led person longs and becomes desperate to know our God is listening, observing, caring, connected to our lives, our needs, our pain, our desires.

Heavenly Father, as we reread the Christmas story, we can see that You were sending signs everywhere; to, and through so many. A person had to be blind, deaf, and totally oblivious to miss all the signs You arranged for humans to witness. 

I pray may I have a heart of faith that doesn’t need external signs from You. May Your word of truth, Your promises, Your activity all around me and in my life in the past and presently be enough for me. 

Thank You for Your generosity towards me; how You entertain me and are so patient with me even though You don’t have to be. Even when I’m asking or looking for “signs” from heaven You do not turn away from me but patiently help me to see all You are doing. 

I pray, when all other signs of Your love and closeness and care seem to be covered over or hidden beneath life’s heavy trials and challenges may I always turn to the one sign that is with me always: the cross of Jesus Christ. Even its emptiness can remind me my Savior who died for my sins that I might live eternally, is now in heaven interceding for me. May the cross be the only sign I need to live with assurance, confidence, and peace of mind knowing my God is listening, my God is here with me, my God will not fail me, my God has forgiven me, my God loves me and cares for and about me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen 

Going Deeper

Have you made sure to have a cross where you can see it as a reminder of God’s love and care and closeness?    

Praying the Promise

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”—Luke 2:33-35 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, thank You for the faithfulness You have demonstrated through the generations. Through those like Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary, we see how You set something wonderful in motion that would lead to the fulfillment of Your great promise for salvation for humanity. 

How humbling it is when we realize that You use common, sinful, frail humans to be such an integral part of Your plan. It’s only by looking back that we can see how what You were accomplishing through our obedience and us at the time.       

We pray, fill our hearts with the same joy that overflowed in each one as they caught a glimpse—however fleeting—of what You were working for the good of humanity through them. Just as Simeon prophesied Mary would not understand her baby’s purpose until much later, we do not understand fully why You send and place us where we are sent and assigned. Just as Mary would not know fully as she changed her baby’s diapers, kissed his little face, watched him take his first steps, and not even when she spent days filled with panic and dread searching for him in Jerusalem; finding Him in the place He would naturally be drawn, we pray, bless us with calm assurance as we work and serve and fulfill all You have given us to do by Your wise and guiding hand.     

So many things elude us, Lord. So much is still a mystery to us. Bless us to have quietness of mind, peace of heart, and entirety of trust in You and what You are working in and through our lives and circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen 

Going Deeper

Have you considered where God has led you and what He has assigned you has an even bigger purpose than you can see or understand?    

Praying the Promise

 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins —I John 4:7-10 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, Jesus our Savior came into this world to show us how to love in a different way; He was Your love gift to us. That little bundle of heaven in the manger was a bundle of love and forgiveness. 

Jesus is love and had love to share with others. People didn’t always “get” how He loved or understand how He could love those they considered unlovable. They judged Him for showing love to the sick, the mentally disturbed, the poor, the sex-worker, the tax collector…those no one else wanted to associate with. Jesus’ love meant action and sacrifice. Help us to love with sincere hearts full of compassion like Jesus loved Father! 

Some today throw out and around those three “little words” without giving much thought to them. “I love you,” comes all too easily without thought of what giving and receiving and showing true love is all about. Even now, Lord, many are caught up in the “Christmas” spirit and feel a sense of love toward others, but that love will fade on December 26. Love for them is material and monetary. We pray, keep us from the world’s definition and illusion of love. Help our love to be sincere and real; help it to reflect the love Jesus demonstrated. 

We pray, help us to speak our love intentionally, but to go beyond words. Help us to show our love by the deeds we do. May others know we are Your children and followers of Jesus by our actions and the love we share with others.

Thank You for returning to the Christmas season and stories year after year where we are reminded of what love really looks like: Jesus in the manger. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen 

Going Deeper

Who will receive your loving action today?  

Praying the Promise

 And while they were there the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn—Luke 2: 6-7 (ESV) 

Heavenly Father, the events surrounding the birth of Your Son and our Savior bring to mind an act of kindness and compassion can make a big difference in the life and circumstances of others. 

Mary and Joseph had traveled a long way, and it seems by the time they reached Bethlehem Mary was in full labor and ready to deliver. By the time they arrived there was nowhere for them to lodge. Lord, how desperate Jospeh must have felt to have nowhere to take his young wife to have her baby. How desperate the uninsured must feel today when they are turned away from medical care! Thank You Lord for the offering of the stable. Thank You for those who take compassion on the poor and needy. To us it may seem so little and terrible, but to Joseph and Mary it was a great gesture and blessing. Thank You for the compassion of one innkeeper. 

Father God, I pray, this Christmas I ask that You open my eyes to a person in need. Give me compassion for someone who is poor and needy. I want to be Your hands and feet, to fill a need for someone.

The Scriptures teach us that You will bless those who have pity on the poor and will repay us for the kindness we show to those in need (Prov. 19:17). Thank You for the blessing You have proclaimed to those who help the poor. I don’t want to give so I can be blessed in return—but I thank You for those times You do bless me.

Father, seeing the needy everyday can sometimes make us cynical. I pray to never become cynical but instead to be sensitive to those in need around me and see them through Your eyes. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen 

Going Deeper:

Does seeing the needy every day make your heart heard, judgmental, and cynical or is it soft and desiring to help those in need? 

Praying the Promise

  Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way, When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit—Matthew 1:18-20 (ESV)

Heavenly Father we praise and thank You that You are never outdone or ruled by human skepticism and doubt. Joseph had some thoughts about his betrothed’s condition. He knew the baby could not be his and being a just man he planned to divorce Mary quietly, without causing her any trouble or shame. 

Thank God Joseph was a godly-fearing man, a man who believed You can do anything You want and however You want, a man who believed a heavenly presence and vison even in his “dream-state” was a message from You. 

May we follow Joseph’s example of what it means to have complete faith and trust in You. His willingness to change his plans and submit to Your will helps us know we can also humble ourselves and our plans under Your mighty hand, even when we don’t understand every aspect of what You’re doing or asking us to do.

One word from You was all Joseph needed to become obedient to Your will. As I study the Holy Scriptures may they be all I need to be convinced of Your will and direction for my life. Thank You for the Christmas season. It’s a wonderful time to refresh my faith, to be reminded of Your great power and to be renewed in my commitment to follow You always even when the road ahead is unclear or uncertain. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Going Deeper:

Does your doubt and need for details ever keep you from fully submitting to what God is asking you to do?  

Praying the Promise

 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway—Proverbs 8:34

Heavenly Father, after 400 years of silence You spoke and in a big way! You broke Your silence by the fulfillment of a promise given at the beginning of time—all the way back to the Garden of Eden when You promised Your special creation Adam and Eve You would send a someone special to save them from their sin condition: a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 

Father, the seasons of our lives are many. And many times we’ll stop listening or give up believing You are going to answer our prayers. We stop waiting with anticipation and expectation. But we should never stop looking, never stop listening, never stop readying our lives and heart for Your answers. They are always perfectly timed and perfect for us and our need. 

As we journey through this season of Advent may we be ever-mindful, and ever-reminded that You have not forgotten us nor the events of our life that need Your sovereign hand and compassionate touch. You already have a plan in place to deliver us, to heal us, to help us, to restore us…

May these weeks and days be again full of wonder and anticipation and the quality of our faith increase. May our hearts once again be fueled by newfound hope. We pray, use the season of Advent to inspire us and give us that needful childlike faith in what You can do in and through the darkness. Let us be among those who hear the message of glad tidings through the angels all around us and be those who run and see this beautiful thing that has happened in our midst. Your saving grace has come to us, broken through the doldrums and heavy silence once again. 

Thank You for another Advent, Father. I look forward to this journey with You. In the name of Jesus my Savior, I pray. Amen 

Going Deeper

Where have you stopped listening and watching for God to move and do something creative in your life and circumstances? 

Praying the Promise

  y peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore—Isaiah 2:4, NIV

Heavenly Father, our hearts yearn for peace and deep down inside we long for unity. Wherever there is disagreement either between individuals or countries we need Your help to work things out with understanding, patience, and civility. Grant us a heart that is willing to be honest and where we have been set in our ways, unrelenting, unmovable and unreachable, help us bend and become open.

It is only in Your holy presence we are shown You’re the ways of peace. Only through Your counsel and in Your presence we experience a different kind of thinking and the places we have been rigid and unwilling that our hearts are softened and our mind opened to receive a new way of thinking and believing. 

Father, we need Your help to be instruments of peace in our daily lives. Help us to have love, understanding and a heart set on reconciliation. Guide us to sow seeds of unity, not just in our family but between nations. We pray, fill us with wisdom and courage to choose peace over strife, may we have compassion over anger, kindness over hostility; let Your light shine so we always reflect Your glory

As we sit down at tables to work out our points of disagreement may we see more clearly the things we have in common. Lord, let Your perfect plan be fulfilled in our lives. As we grapple in prayer, teach us how to turn swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. 

Going Deeper

What is God saying to you about your life and relationships as you come to His holy mountain in prayer?