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A Prayer about Happy Holidays

by | Nov 28, 2022 | Advent, Christmas, Christmas, Daily Prayer, Seasons & Holidays

A Prayer about Happy Holidays

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:4

Joyful Lord,

It’s already happening. 

I feel my inner Grinch creeping, 

ready to make a sneak attack 

on the poor unsuspecting checkout folks 

who cheerfully call out, “Happy Holidays” 

after I’ve just bought Christmas ornaments. 

Lord, I know they’ve been told what to say. 

Lord, I know that Christmas 

has become commercialized. 

And yet, these stores will still play songs like,

“Joy to the World, the Lord is come, 

let earth receive her King,” 

and “Hark, the herald angels sing, 

‘Glory to the newborn King.’”

 So rather than getting all grinchy 

when someone tells me, “Happy Holidays,” 

help me to joyfully respond, “Thank you,” 

or even, “Joy to the world!” 

Help me to see that even the “secularization” of Christmas

offers prime opportunities 

to share the true reason for our joy — 

we have a great King, 

and that King has come, 

in the form of a baby human! 

It’s game-changing news, 

but many don’t know it. 

May we seek this season 

to share this news 

in the best way we know how, 

by living and loving 

in the fullness of our Savior’s joy!

Amen.

Read Psalm 98; Luke 2:8-20.

 

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

 

A Prayer about How Christmas Disturbs Our Self-Made Shalom

by | Nov 27, 2022 | A Woman's Story, Advent, Christmas, Daily Prayer, gratitude, Seasons & Holidays

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 26, 2022 | Advent, Daily Prayer, Gospel living, kingdom living, Seasons & Holidays

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 Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

by | Nov 23, 2022 | Daily Prayer, gratitude, Seasons & Holidays, 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. 

 

A Prayer about Missing People and Places at the Holidays

by | Nov 21, 2022 | aging, dying, and death, Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Grief, legacy, Seasons & Holidays, Suffering, Thanksgiving

A Prayer about Missing People and Places at the Holidays

“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:2

Gracious and Hospitable Lord,

As Thanksgiving comes around, 

our family misses my mom and her home. 

For many years, we visited her there, 

but her home now belongs to another; 

her new home is in heaven with you.

I know many face a similar sorrow. 

It will be their first holiday without their loved one. 

In a season when we may feel exiled from familiar places, 

draw our hearts to your ever-present 

and always abundant hospitality. 

You make homes for sparrows and nests for swallows (Psalm 84:3),

and you have invited us to be your sons and daughters. 

Even as we limp through the Valley of Weeping,

You make it a place of springs (Psalm 84:6), 

refreshing our hearts with your gentleness and joy.

When we tend to believe the lie that we are bereft, 

remind us that you are our “sun and shield,” 

bestowing “favor and honor”, 

assuring us, “No good thing 

do I withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).  

In the name of your Son, 

who came to walk this earth with us 

that we might live in heaven with you. 

Amen.

Read Psalm 84.

 

A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

by | Nov 3, 2022 | gratitude, Seasons & Holidays, 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.