Monday, December 19, 2016

Lord God,
We are busy preparing cards and gifts and food.
Keep us grounded in what really matters.
We pray that You help us prepare our hearts.
Cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
Remove any darkness from our minds.
We bring You our sin, and You exchange it
for the gift of Your tender mercy.
We praise You and honor You and thank You
for redeeming us through Your Son,
our savior, Jesus.

Amen

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Psalm 91, starting at verse 14 says:
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD,
“I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Lord God in heaven –
Give us the faith – the confidence – to know
You are there, You are great, and You will deliver us.
The Yuletide season can bring on emotional ups and downs.
But there is One who will never let us down –
our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ
in whose name we pray. 
Amen.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Holy Father,
Isaiah wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…”
May we see that light –
recognizing the gift of salvation through Jesus.
May we be full of that light; inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts 
and emitting the light for the whole world to see.
May Your light, indwelling within us,
change us and fill us with hope and faithfulness.

In Jesus’ holy name. 
Amen.