Light of the World

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank You that in spite of our fallen state, You did not forget us. Thank You for coming into this world, becoming one of us, to show Your light and Your truth, and give us Life! Amen

“He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John‬ ‭1:2-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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wonder

Lord help us to become as children waiting for Christmas. Fill us with a sense of wonder and exciting at your coming this day.

In a world that teaches rationality teach us to embrace the mystery of things that have no answers and offer no solutions.

Cause us to pause this day and take note of all the wondrous things that surround us and bring a sense of awe into our lives.

Amen

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preparing

Father,

We have a lot to do. 

We have too much to do.

Help us to chose wisely as the Advent season nears and takes us into Christmas. Guide our heart to what we should say yes to and what we should say no to. Keep our hearts focused on You this season, remembering why we prepare. Why we celebrate. Why we love.

Because you made a way for us to be with you once again. Because you first came to us. 

Because you first loved us.

Help us prepare well.


Amen

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Following Jesus

Success is neither fame, wealth, nor power; rather it is seeking, knowing, loving, and obeying God.  If you seek, you will know, if you know you will love, if you love, you will obey.  ~Charles Habib Malik


John 15:9-11 "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.  Now remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

 Oh Jesus, I have no other friend like You.  In times of trials you are there.  You hear the unspoken longings of my heart.  Everything I need to know you have revealed.  Seeking You, knowing You, loving You and obeying You are the desires of my heart.  Give me your strength to pick up my cross daily and follow You.  I love You.  Amen.





Amen

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Remembering the Source

Psalm 103:1-2

     Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! ² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

James 1:17

     Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Our God and Father, as we have remembered your benefits at our Thanksgiving Celebrations, may we always be mindful, with continuing gratitude, that such blessings come from your gracious and faithful hands.

Your benefits and gifts are a reminder of your care and compassion for us. We are so appreciative of your kindness and generosity especially in providing the generous and gracious gift of salvation. As the Apostle Paul reminds us:

Titus 3:4-6 (NLT)
     ⁴  But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, ⁵  he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. ⁶  He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Indeed, thank you Father from whom ALL blessings flow. Amen!

Amen

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Giving Thanks

Accept, O Lord,
our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us.
We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation,
for the beauty of this world,
for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends,
and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts,
and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ;
for the truth of his Word and the example of his life;
for his steadfast obedience,
by which he overcame temptation;
for his dying,
through which he overcame death;
and for his rising to life again,
in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit,
that we may know him and make him known;
and through him,
at all times and in all places,
may give thanks to you in all things. Amen

The Book of Common Prayer

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a prayer of thankfulness

Last Saturday I was in an Emergency Room for six hours. Sunday and Monday I was in the hospital. Monday morning I had a medical procedure. Such things bring clarity to life. And they can make one thankful. So please join me in thanking God.

Lord, I am so thankful for the ways that you work in the world. Bless those who are serving others today instead of being home with loved ones. Make your presence known to those who defend us in distant lands. Guide the hands and hearts of doctors, nurses and all who choose to heal. And strengthen those who fight crime and fight fires.

Thank you Father for the love that you pour into the world. For missionaries, domestic and abroad, who spread your light and love. For workers in food pantries, homeless shelters and free clinics we are so grateful. Bless each of these with the understanding that they are your hands and feet of mercy and grace in the world.

Lastly Lord, we give you thanks for all of the people who have been positive influences in our lives. Bless those who teach, inspire and help us to grow into the people you want us to be. Cause us to be people who say thank you to our parents, our spouses and our children. Help them to know, through us, how much they are loved.

Amen

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a thanksgiving Santa

My oldest daughter is ready to give birth to her 6th blessing any day now. Yesterday, after her doctor visit, we stopped at the mall for a little Christmas shopping and we had the most precious encounter with Santa Claus.

Here just a few days before Thanksgiving- the one day a year that we have carved out to be thankful- Santa was standing outside the mall ringing bells for the Salvation Army. As he noticed my daughters very pregnant belly, he asked what she was having and then he told her what a precious blessing that baby was going to be and that it was certainly one of the greatest gifts of God.

And then...

He asked us if we knew what the greatest gift of all is, and proceeded to share Jesus with us.

It was a nice moment shared between my daughter and I and Santa, as we were able to tell him that we indeed did know Jesus Christ.

As we walked into the mall, it made me smile to think about this Thanksgiving Santa and his boldness to share Jesus with strangers.

The point of this post?

Just a reminder to each of us to pray for courage and boldness to always be ready to spread the gospel. As we enter this season of thanksgiving, let’s remember who we give ALL thanks to. Let’s pray for continued blessings upon our families. Continued mercies upon our loved ones. But let’s pray for an increased desire to reach out and share the greatest gift of all. Jesus Christ.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15) HCSB

Amen

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Thanksgiving

Father, you have lavished us with innumerable blessings. We have a tendency to focus on the things we don't have and our problems. Help us to be a grateful people, and to live out of gratitude for what you have done. Thank you you for your love and grace. Amen

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FAITH

"Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see." ~William Newton Clark (1841-19120


II Corinthians 5:7 "We live by faith, not by sight."

Heavenly Father, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  We know that we do not see things as they really are.  True spiritual sight is reserved for the day when we will see as we are seen.  Faith is for this world, sight is for the next.  You bless those who believe without seeing.  O Lord, give us the strength to walk by faith until that great Day when we will truly walk by sight."

And the Lord haste the day

When my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back like a scroll,

The trump shall resound

And the Lord shall descend'

Even so, it is well with my soul.

~Horacio G. Spafford 1873

Amen

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“Others……….” Hebrews 11:35

Father Hebrews 11 gives a stunning comparison between those where were delivered from trials by faith to those who suffered and died by faith.

Hebrews 11:39-40 (NLT)

     ³⁹ All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.⁴⁰ For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Father as I think and pray for the community of Paradise, Ca and other communities in California, suffering from such a devastating conflagration and tragic loss of life, it is with a broken heart that I ask for your peace, mercy and grace to be with them. I know that life does not consist with the things a person possesses but of far greater and infinite value is that of the soul. Jesus said: “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Matthew 16:26 (NLT)

Father I know that you are profoundly moved by the suffering of other people. “In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. Isaiah 63:9 (NLT)

Father, may all of those suffering and grieving sense the presence of your love and the strength of your grace sustaining them today and in the months and years to come. May they by faith in you find you more than sufficient for their every need. In Jesus consoling name, Amen.

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Surrender

In the midst of the chaotic world we find ourselves in, I can rest secure, knowing I am enveloped by Your love and mercy, surrounded by Your grace and goodness, Your gifts, Your protection, Your provision. I am thankful and praise You for all that You have done in my life. In the circumstances of life, whatever they may be, this is where You have placed me; this is the responsibility You have entrusted to me. You are working in me every moment to become conformed to the image of Your Son. Thank You, Father. Help me to surrender completely as You work out Your good will in me. Give me strength and courage to let go of the what if's, the fears ...whatever holds me back. To You be the glory forever! Amen

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a prayer for letting go

Dear God,

In this moment, I let go of all thoughts and concerns.

When I let go, I am able to receive.

When my hands are formed into tight fists, I cannot open my hands to receive anything.

When I hang onto tight control,

When I close off my heart and my spirit,

I cannot receive your blessings for me.

I let go to receive your blessings.

Letting go in this moment, I receive your loving presence around me and within me.

Help me to let go when I am feeling overwhelmed, so that I may receive your peace.

Help me to let go when I feel fear so that in fear’s place I may receive love and courage.

I let go of problems and challenges in order to receive your guidance and clarity.

I let go and trust you.

I will not fall.

You will catch me.

I let go and trust in the still, small voice inside of me.

Help me not to struggle but to surrender my struggle to you.

I gladly receive this gift of letting go and letting you lead me and guide me.

Amen

... a prayer shared by Jackie Trottmann at The Guided Life

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a prayer to slow down

Heavenly Father,

As we enter into a busy season of holiday celebrations, we give you thanks. We praise your name on high, grateful that you are a God who saves. The true God who is present, near us at every moment. The one true God worthy of our worship and love.

Help us to breathe, O God, in this rush. In and out, with deep inhaling and slow exhaling. Let us sit in silence for a few moments each day, to listen, to slow down. To be quiet.

For you guide us, O God, and we must learn to be silent and listen for your voice. To listen for your direction. Most of all, to enjoy you. Teach us to slow down, to be present as we create memories and experiences. To slow down and see all that you are and all that you are doing around us.

Teach us to enjoy you.

Amen

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