Daily Pause

Today’s PRAYER: God, as my calendar gets closer to Christmas, the busier it becomes. In between Christmas parties and Christmas shopping, I’m fighting Christmas traffic in Christmas weather. If I’m honest, Lord, the stress of my schedule makes it hard to celebrate that silent night in the little town of Bethlehem. I read in your Word that Mary rushed to her relative’s home. But her hurry was not in a dozen different directions, her hurry was focused on being ready for you. She said no to so many of her plans because she said yes to you and being ready for your Son’s arrival. This Christmas season, help me to seek you first, before all things. To arrange my calendar to first prepare for you and let everything else be second. And then, Lord, would you show me what I need to let go of this year? What is frivolous? What detracts from a focus on your Son? After I create time and space for you God, what else needs to be removed? In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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

Luke 1: 38 (GW) 38 Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.” Then the angel left her.

Today’s prayer:

Lord, I want to kneel with Mary this Christmas and proclaim that I am your servant, but I confess it’s hard for me. The thought of being a servant, bonded and captive to you, wages war with my pride and sensibilities. I would rather call you Father, or God, than to come under your sovereignty and control and submit to you as my Lord and Master. And yet these are the very titles your Son and his mother gave to you. So, Lord, not my will, but thy will be done. Whatever calling you’ve given me, thy will be done. Whatever difficult circumstances I find myself in—my relationships, my health, my finances—thy will be done. Change what is within your will to change, but what must remain, let it remain. I do not get to decide how your power, your grace, or your mercy are demonstrated in my life this Christmas season, only if they are. I am your servant. Let everything you have said happen to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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

Heavenly Father, beneath the frenzy of the Christmas season, there’s a brooding sense of fear. We brighten the longer evenings with strings of lights, we color the gray of winter with vibrant decorations, because there is a lingering sense of things beyond our control. This is fear. Fear of loss, isolation, worthlessness, pain, or even death. If I quiet myself long enough I can look beneath my worries and find the underlying fears I try to ignore or silence. Especially my fear of… [Take a moment to confess your specific fears.] But when your angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he told her, “Do not be afraid.” Lord, would you come by your Holy Spirit right now and speak those same words to me? Tell me to fear not—because you are with me. Tell me to be strong and courageous—because you are greater than everything I fear. Every fear, from the small to the great, has been conquered by your Son, whose birth I celebrate this season. You are my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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

We leave a little space now to listen...making ourselves available through quietness to the holy spirits whisper flowing from his word.

You may find it helpful to pause this recording and reread the passage and prayer again as you meditate on the following question:

Luke 1: 29 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

Lord, once Mary heard the angel’s greeting, she knew she was being called and summoned to your purpose. Yet while her mind flooded with questions, her wonder was never doubtful. Her wonder was expectant.

To wonder with faith at your Word made flesh.

And may my wondering at the miracles of Christmas lead me to a new year of faith, trusting in your faithfulness and power to accomplish all that you have promised for me. Instead of fear or doubt, to look forward to the future with faith-filled wondering.

In Jesus’ name.

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

We leave a little space now to listen...making ourselves available through quietness to the holy spirits whisper flowing from his word.

You may find it helpful to pause this recording and reread the passage and prayer again as you meditate on the following question:

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Today’s prayer: Most Holy God, you could have remained separate and distant from us in our sinful state. But in your great love, you looked on our helpless isolation and sent your Son, Immanuel, God With Us, to come to us that we might come to you. Oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! In this moment, would you bring me a very real comfort with the knowledge of your very real presence? Remind my heart, my mind, my body—my entire soul, that I am not alone because you, the God of the universe, dwells with me. In the same way, send your Comforter, your Spirit, to those who are suffering this season, especially… [Take a moment to name those in need of God’s comfort.] Let us all know the same hope and joy Mary felt when she heard the good news that you are with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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

We leave a little space now to listen...making ourselves available through quietness to the holy spirits whisper flowing from his word.

You may find it helpful to pause this recording and reread the passage and prayer again as you meditate on the following question:

Luke 1: 23-25 23

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Today’s prayer: Father, after Elizabeth’s pregnancy in her old age, she gave thanks. She knew John’s birth would not be possible without your provision. This Christmas season, as I draw nearer to the matchless gift of your Son, I also give thanks to you for what you have given me. I have not earned or deserved the things I have, but I only have them because of your gracious and generous hand. You have given me my loved ones, my shelter, my food, my job, my abilities, and my country. But even still, God, I thank you for… [Take a moment to thank God for what he’s given you.] In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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

We leave a little space now to listen...making ourselves available through quietness to the holy spirits whisper flowing from his word.

You may find it helpful to pause this recording and reread the passage and prayer again as you meditate on the following question:

Luke 1:20-22

“And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

God, not only have I failed to be as faithful as Zechariah with speaking your message, but I have also often failed to believe you and your Word.

I have doubted your goodness and done what was right in my own eyes.

But just as your judgments are just, extend to me your mercy and grace. Forgive me and renew my faith, for the sake of your Son, whose birth I remember this season. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!

In Jesus’ name.

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

We leave a little space now to listen...making ourselves available through quietness to the holy spirits whisper flowing from his word.

You may find it helpful to pause this recording and reread the passage and prayer again as you meditate on the following question:

“A Prayer to Bring Back Many"

Luke 1: 13-16 13 “… Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.” 

Today’s prayer: 

Lord God, the Christmas season is a frantic season filled with decorations, music, and parties. Left unchecked, these activities overtake the meaning and message of your precious Son’s birth. This year, Lord, make it different. Make alive again the word the angel Gabriel spoke and bring the hearts of many to marvel and believe in the mystery of your Son’s birth. In my home, in my church, in my community. Both those who have never believed and those who’s faith has gone cold, let them come and behold him, born the King of Angels. Enliven the dead heart, soften the callous heart, and give the gift of faith, Father. As we celebrate your Son’s birth, may we also celebrate the second birth this Christmas of those who first believe. Bring back many to you, our Lord and God! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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

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“Luke 1: 5-13 

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard…” 

Today’s prayer: 

Heavenly Father, you are the God who hears. Just as you heard the prayer of Zechariah and sent your messenger to appear to him, would you also hear the prayers I bring this season? Incline your ear to me, not because of any righteousness on my own, but because of your Son’s righteousness alone. I give you this day and this month to be a time of lifting my hands in prayer with all your people to call on your name. Use the words and phrases from the account of your Son’s birth to prompt my own prayers, deepen my faith, and enrich my Christmas celebration. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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

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14Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

19  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”4:19 Isaiah 61:1,2 (see Septuagint); Isaiah 58:6

20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”