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A Prayer about How Christmas Disturbs Our Self-Made Shalom:

by | Dec 1, 2024 | Advent, Christmas, Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about How Christmas Disturbs Our Self-Made Shalom:

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:29

Wondrous God, 

Even though this verse isn’t usually 

the subject of memes or cross-stitched wall-art, 

we need to ponder it.

It reminds us of just how disruptive 

the birth of Christ really was, 

how Christ in fact came 

to disrupt any self-made shalom, 

any peace we’ve gained on our own terms, 

any security and significance 

that doesn’t come from you. 

We can imagine how confused 

Mary must have been, 

how disruptive the news 

of her imminent pregnancy was to her.

After all, what would Joseph, 

her betrothed say?

And yet, she doesn’t quarrel 

with the angel Gabriel. 

Instead, she wonders, “How can this be?”

Lord, in this season of Advent, 

draw us to wonder 

about the disruptive grace 

of Jesus Christ. 

Make us sit and rest and ponder 

the enormity of this question, 

“How can this be….” 

In Christ’s wonderfully disruptive name. Amen.

Read Luke 1:26-38.

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.



A Prayer about Undeserved Grace:

by | Nov 30, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Undeserved Grace:

Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you! Luke 1:28

Wondrous God,

As advent, the season of celebrating the wait for Christ to come, 

begins today, 

open our eyes to see the hope-full truth:

Grace is all about you! 

In Greek, the word for “favored” 

is “graced,” 

so Gabriel is really telling Mary, 

“Greetings, O graced one, the Lord is with you!” 

What make us “graced”? 

We are “graced” with your presence. 

In this season leading up to Christmas, 

may we exchange time stocking up on presents 

and for moments soaking up your presence. 

For indeed, that is the true meaning of Christmas—

you sent your Son to earth, 

fully God, fully human, 

a baby to be carried in the womb of Mary, 

the graced one. 

We didn’t deserve the present of your presence, 

but you were determined to give it! 

May we take time this season to rest 

in your life-giving, undeserved grace. 

In the name of our gracious Savior. Amen.

Read Luke 1:28; Ephesians 2:4-10. 

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.



A Prayer about the Lord’s Timing

by | Nov 29, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Lord’s Timing

For everything there is a seasons, and a time for every matter under heaven….

A time to be born and a time to die…Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

All-Wise God, 

This is probably the most famous passage in Ecclesiastes 

to readers and non-readers of the Bible.

Enlighten us with your insight 

about this passage and about your timing. 

The Teacher who wrote these words 

seems to be frustrated by your timing: 

“What do people really get for all their hard work? 

I have seen the burden God has placed on us all” (Ecclesiastes 3:9-10). 

He sees that “”All go to one place. 

All are from dust, and to dust all return” (Ecclesiastes 3:20). 

Indeed, if this is all there is to life, 

then how “utterly meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). 

Thankfully, because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, 

we who trust in him are living already 

in the eternity you have placed in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

Thankfully, because of our resurrection hope, 

we know that you are working in all times of our life, 

and that one day “soon,” 

we will dwell with you forever 

in a life multiplied by the meaning 

you wrote into your creation. 

Help us today to see your timing in all things. 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-22. 



A Prayer about the Perfect Marriage Awaiting Us

by | Nov 28, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Perfect Marriage Awaiting Us

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2

Lord Jesus,

As we anticipate the full intimacy 

we will know with you and the Father and the Spirit

 in the day of the new heavens and the new earth, 

we pray for marriages. 

You created marriage to provide 

a tiny peephole of a glimpse 

into the intimacy you have designed us for. 

In this fallen world, marriage, 

even between two redeemed sinners, 

cannot fully image that oneness you intended. 

And yet, one day, you promise 

that every single person will “dwell with you forever,” 

and “see you face to face” (Revelation 21: 4; 22:4). 

In that day, there will be no need for marriage, 

because the intimacy you designed us for will be perfect. 

Until that day comes, 

bless those who are married 

with a love that relates without shame or contempt. 

Until that day comes, 

bless those who are single and long to be married 

with community that gives them 

a foretaste of the intimacy 

they will one day know eternally. 

In your perfectly loving name we pray. Amen. 

Read Revelation 21:1-5. 



A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

by | Nov 27, 2024 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth, Thanksgiving

A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Gracious Lord,

For some of us, 

today’s circumstances may include

maple-smoked turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, 

apple-crumb pie, and other rich and luscious fare. 

For others, it might look like a frozen turkey pot pie 

eaten in front of the TV. 

Whatever our circumstances 

on Thanksgiving Day in America, 

may we continue to rejoice and to pray, 

to give thanks, 

because it is your will for us in Christ Jesus. 

May we remember that the apostle Paul, 

who first penned these words, 

wasn’t sitting on silky sand 

drinking a Pina colada when he wrote them. 

He had suffered imprisonments, 

shipwreck, beatings, and betrayal, 

among other miseries. 

And yet, in such difficult circumstances, 

he discovered your kindness to him 

in the midst of suffering. 

He thanked you in the midst of grief 

because he saw you multiplying the good news 

in the hearts of many. 

Today, whatever food is on our table, 

whoever does or does not sit around it, 

may we see you multiplying beauty and hope 

and give you thanks 

for all of your gifts to us in Christ.

In the name of our Redeemer, Jesus. Amen.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.