Daily Pause

Luke 2: 22-32 22 When the time came  for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and  Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is  written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be  consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with  what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young  pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was  righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and  the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy  Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents  brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law  required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  

Today’s Prayer: 29 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now  dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,  31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for  revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. In  Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Luke 2: 17-19 17 

When they had seen  him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this  child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to  them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in  her heart. 

Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, on this divine night you  gave the matchless treasure of your only begotten Son, that whoever  believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. As I gather  in worship with your people this day, give us hearts to treasure this  blessed thought! May every song we sing treasure his name. May every  instrument we play treasure his name. May every prayer, every reading,  every greeting treasure his name! Fill us with awe, with reverence, with  joy for this great treasure, God. From the young to the old, from our  exultation to our stillness, from our coming to our going, let every  soul feel his worth as we gather in worship on this holy night. In  Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Luke 2: 13-16 

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to the people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

 Today’s prayer: 

O Peacemaker, when your Son was born the angels pronounced peace on earth because you were now reconciled to a sinful mankind through the atoning sacrifice of your Son. O Lord, bring me a peace that flows from this heavenly truce I have with you. Make peace and reconcile my broken relationships. Make peace and bring me wholeness of in my mind and body. Make peace and give me courage as I face hardship or an uncertain future. As I pray for myself, I pray also for those I love, that the angels’ news of peace on earth may be true among us once again. Bring shalom. Make peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola

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Luke 2: 8-12 

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Today’s prayer: 

God, as Christmas Day draws closer, I confess it’s easy to become distracted. I find myself thinking more about last-minute gift ideas and travel plans than I am about the miracle of your Son’s birth. Like you interrupted the shepherds during their work, God, will you please grab my heart’s attention this day? Interrupt me with your glory. You who shine with a great light on a people walking in darkness, do it again! Break through my busyness with the good news that causes great joy—that a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord, has come. That all the things vying for my attention in these busy days would lose their importance when compared to the great gift of your Son. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola

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Luke 2: 1-7 

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

TODAY’S PRAYER: 

O, gracious God, how Mary’s heart must have ached, wanting to give your Son the highest honor and finest riches to welcome you, and yet she wrapped him in the only rags she could afford. But you were pleased with her offering because you do not measure the gift, you measure the heart that gives it. May you be pleased with the offering I bring, God. Even the best I can give you is an offering far too small, but I give as I am able. Take my talents and relationships. Take my finances and my time. Take my voice. Take my will. Take all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. You first gave your Son to redeem the world. Mary was the first to give in response. May my offering be fitting for such a story. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola

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Luke 1: 67-79 

 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

Today’s prayer: 

68 I praise you, Lord, the God of Israel, because you have come to your people and redeemed them. 69 You have raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of your servant David 70 (as you said through your holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 You have shown mercy to your people and remembered your holy covenant, 73 the oath you swore to Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve you without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before you all our days. 76 Like your prophet John, O God Most High; who went before your Son to prepare the way for him, 77 use me to give your people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of your tender mercy, God. Like a rising sun sent from heaven, 79 shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death and guide our feet into the path of peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola

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Luke 1: 59-66 

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. 

Today’s prayer: 

God in heaven, like Zechariah, open my mouth and set my tongue free to praise you, this day. I have been silent for far too long! I celebrate with all joy this Christmas because you are not a vengeful or angry God. You are for me, you are not against me. Every title you hold, and everything you do, is for my good. Everything you are is good—you are the Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. You are the Word made flesh. You are the Highest, Most Holy, Light of Light, Eternal Desire of Nations. You are God with Us, the Son of Righteousness. Everything you do is kind—you have not forgotten or abandoned us. You are faithful to your promises. You are kind and compassionate. You graciously bless us. You are merciful to forgive us. You have not treated us as our sins deserve. You are kind. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola

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Today’s prayer: Heavenly Father, throughout Scripture you made promises to send your Son—That he would be born in the line of Abraham and David, and from the tribe of Judah. That he would be born to a virgin, in the village of Bethlehem. That he would provide a sacrifice for my sins and establish an everlasting kingdom. I praise you, Lord of heaven and earth, for fulfilling every Christmas prophecy you spoke. Give me faith this season, God, to believe you are faithful to all of your promises to me. Your promise to be with me forever, to not condemn me, to give me eternal life. Your promise to love me, defend me, and guide me. Your promise to give me peace, joy, and power. Your promise to send me, equip me, help me. Your promise to hear me when I pray! Blessed is the one who believes you will fulfill your promises to them! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola

Today’s Prayer: O King of Heaven, when Jesus draws near to Elizabeth, she instantly recognizes her unworthiness to be in his presence; enough to join the refrain throughout Scripture and ask, “Who am I?” As I glimpse your majesty, Lord, may my heart be humbled. Show me how impossibly short I fall of your glory. Reveal your strength and holiness, that I might realize the depth of my weakness and sin. Show me, as your Word says, how even my righteous deeds are like filthy rags in your awesome presence. Show me these things, God, that I might appreciate your Son all the more. How he came in all his perfection, to me in all my imperfection. To grace me, not only with his presence, and not only with your forgiveness, but also the full favor of your Son. As I draw near to the day of Jesus’ coming, give me a heart that feels unworthy and overjoyed enough to also ask, “Who am I that my Lord should come to me?” In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola

Luke 1: 41-42 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

Heavenly Father, no one rejoices in the birth of your Son more than your Holy Spirit. In the Christmas account the Holy Spirit overshadows Mary, he leaps with John, he shouts with Elizabeth, he prophecies with Zechariah, he sings impromptu songs with Simeon. If I want to know the joy of Christmas, then my prayer is clear: Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Your ever-present Spirit is with me and within me; but I want to be filled with all the fullness of you. Give a good measure, poured out and running over. Let your Spirit have his way with me—giving faith, convicting, counseling, comforting, guiding, and bearing his fruit in my life. As I celebrate the birth of Jesus, let your Holy Spirit celebrate within me with whatever unrestrained celebration he so desires. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola