A WALK TOWARD ADVENT

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV ©1984)

Next Sunday is the first day of Advent, that time in the Christian calendar that leads up to Christmas. Let’s try loving as many people as possible into a full life of love and Christmas light and let us begin today.

In addition to the friends and family you usually pray for, every day this week and for all the weeks of Advent, select someone you have never prayed for. Perhaps someone has hurt you or betrayed you in your personal or public life. Or, they may be a national or an international figure you have never seen in person. Try to identify their own need and pray to God the Father that the person’s need will be met. You may think of their need as: freedom from hate, fear, or release from crippling self-aggrandizement and need for power. You may rotate their needs and therefore pray for a different need of theirs each week. You can pray for the same person every day, or you can add another name to your prayer list each day. Let this be the year you love someone to the side of the manger and where they can fall on their knees and eagerly invite the Christ Child, Jesus, into their heart. Let us pray:

"Holy Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ child, we bow before your holy name and the name of your son who came to earth two-thousand years ago and who is born into the heart of a willing servant whenever he is invited, even today. We ask this very day, that ________’s heart may be softened to greet your son, Jesus, by filling their entire being with your Holy Spirit today. May your spirit fill them until they overflow with your light and their need for ______ is driven out and cast into the farthest pit, never to touch them again. We understand the danger of having your pure love invade a sinful heart, for love and hate cannot mutually abide. But, you Father, know the heart and mind of everyone. You will know how to lance the boil of sin and heal them without destroying them completely and then, fit them for your service. We pray that they become a wise leader in your name, a holy man of God, that your purposes and yours alone may be fulfilled. Forgive us when we have given their dark soul more strength by fearing them rather than turning them over to your love and healing. They are not for us to condemn. It is our mission to point the way to the cross that others may find you and your son there. In the name of your son Jesus, the Star Child of Christmas, we pray. Amen"
Doris
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp