Pray The Word

Link to free Advent: Love’s Pure Light PDF by Dwell App: ⁣

https://tinyurl.com/yysjvwjm⁣

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𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟮𝟳 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝟰:𝟮-𝟲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝟭𝟭:𝟭-𝟭𝟴⁣

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𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘥; 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘥.⁣

–St. Gregory of Nazianzus⁣

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Repentance is a reminder that God loves to heal that which is sick and restore all that is disfigured. If there is no possibility for renewal, then why bother with repentance in the first place? To repent is not only to acknowledge one’s sin and shortcomings, but it is to look ahead with hope and the unshakable belief that God will not leave us as we are but will make us by grace what Jesus is by nature.⁣

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In fact, this is one of the most helpful ways to reflect upon the Incarnation during this Advent season. Jesus did not enter our world because he was lonely, neither was he forced to do so by some divine decree. Love has been and always will be the only lens through which the birth of Christ can be properly understood. To truly love is to desire the good of the other. When God sees humanity suffering and lost in sin, he looks upon us with compassion, longing to free us from “the sin that clings so closely” (Heb. 12:1).⁣

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Through our love of self and pursuit of comfort, we walk in alienation from God and one another. We are, like the Israelites of old, covered in filth and our hands are stained with blood (Is. 4:4). Harsh as this may sound, this realization is the beginning of true repentance. Only when we see our sickness for what it is can we begin to appreciate the healing medicine offered to us by our loving Lord.⁣

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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸⁣

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.⁣

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣

As today’s reflection reminds us, we must learn to be free from love of self. Choose today to fast from self-interest. It has been said that true humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking about yourself less. Put this into practice by going the entire day without looking at yourself in a mirror!

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:⁣

https://tinyurl.com/yysjvwjm⁣

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𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟮𝟳 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝟮𝟲:𝟳-𝟭𝟱 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝟮:𝟯𝟳-𝟰𝟮⁣

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𝘈𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘥.⁣

–St. Seraphim of Sarov⁣

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As countless carols, films, and family customs fill the season, it is easy to pass through these weeks bathed in a warm, nostalgic glow. As we sing each year, “All is calm, all is bright.” And while we can joyfully celebrate this season as one of “heavenly peace,” we shouldn’t too quickly associate this peace with undisturbed tranquility. In truth, the Incarnation of Christ was anything but calm, with earthly powers immediately disturbed and outraged by the birth of this newborn king (Mt. 2).⁣

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Peace is not the absence of conflict but is the presence of God in the midst of chaos. The psalmist reminds us of this, saying, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident” (Ps. 27:3). They knew in their bones something we are daily prone to forget: peace is not circumstantial but is given freely by God as a gift. It is therefore possible to live in deeply painful and disorienting seasons and yet remain a person of profound peace.⁣

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There is a persistent temptation to tie inner peace to outer calm. And while some chapters of life are simpler or less stressful than others, we can never guarantee a life free from all conflict or distress. As Jesus himself reminds us, “In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33)! It does us no good to anxiously worry about the challenges we face in life. Instead, we are invited daily to live free from all fear, not as a form of blind optimism, but instead deeply rooted in the victory of God won in Jesus.⁣

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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸⁣

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.⁣

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣

Often, anxiety manifests itself through a life of constant hurry. We are free from hurry when we learn to rest in the peace of God. So today, choose to fast from hurry. If you share a meal with others, make it a point to be the last to finish. Or, if making a purchase in a store, intentionally choose the longest line and learn to resist the urge to rush to the next thing!

Link to the free devotional by Dwell App found here: https://tinyurl.com/yysjvwjm⁣

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𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟴: 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁⁣

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Isaiah 40:1-11 ⁣

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 ⁣

2 Peter 3:8-15a ⁣

Mark 1:1-8⁣

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𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵; 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵; 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴, 𝘮𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.⁣

–Tertullian⁣

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Have you ever looked at an ancient icon or historic Christian painting and struggled to tell what’s going on? If so, you’re in good company! While appreciating the beauty and reverence of these timeless works, the modern viewer is often left in the dark, unclear on who and what is depicted, and by extension, how to properly engage and appreciate such artwork. However, there is one figure that can always be easily identified: John the Baptist. How, you may ask? By his finger.⁣

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Though commonly remembered for his unique diet and dramatic dress, John the Baptist’s finger is in many ways his most defining feature, for with it he fulfills his primary role in the story of salvation. John points us to Christ, showing us where to go when we are disoriented. He helps us look afresh to Christ when we are confused and cannot see a way forward. In short, he reminds us, often with great passion and urgency, where our focus is meant to be.⁣

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In this second week of Advent, we focus on the themes of preparation and repentance. As Isaiah 40:3 reminds us, “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” In the busyness of this holiday season, your focus is likely scattered and pulled in a dozen different directions. Yet into this noise, each year Christians are invited again to tune their hearts to the ancient words of the prophet who proclaimed “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mk. 1:4). Our Lord is coming. May he find us ready and waiting.⁣

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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸⁣

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.⁣

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣

It is impossible to give ourselves fully to multiple passions or pursuits. As such, we will take time this week to practice fasting, a timeless discipline that encourages attentiveness by eliminating distraction. To this end, consider today fasting from noise in a way that makes sense for your context. Perhaps you take a break from TV, music, or podcasts. Go for a walk. Drive in the car with the radio off. Be creative, but remember, we say “no” in order to say “yes” to something better!⁣

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Link to Advent Devotional here: ⁣

https://tinyurl.com/yysjvwjm⁣

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Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Ezekiel 36:24-28 Mark 11:27-33⁣

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𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺, ‘𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵.’ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦-𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵.⁣

–St. Theophan the Recluse⁣

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To live as a follower of Jesus is to believe that transformation is possible. It is to profess through word and deed that we are not finished products, neither has our journey reached its final destination. Whatever keeps you up at night or leaves you anxious during the day does not have to forever define who you are or who you will be, yet it is remarkably easy to fall into this way of thinking, is it not? “I’ve always been this way,” we say, throwing our hands up in defeat. Though common and understandable, we must begin to see that there is nothing inherently Christian about this way of viewing the world, or our place within it.⁣

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It is possible to live your entire life and never become truly human. In many ways, this is one of the primary insights we are meant to glean from this season of preparation. Though we may eat, sleep, laugh, and cry, we are capable in the process of missing the end for which we were created, namely, to share in the very life of God. In taking on flesh and bones, Jesus condescends and speaks to us “at our level.” Yet the heart of his message was, is, and will forever be one of growth, becoming something we previously were not.⁣

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As God promises in Ezekiel 36:26, “I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Fundamentally, this is a promise of transformation. It is a reminder that one can live without being truly alive. In short, it is an invitation to become fully human.⁣

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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸⁣

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.⁣

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣

If you don’t have one already, consider beginning a prayer journal this Advent. As we journey through this life, it is important to remember where we’ve been along the way, and more significantly, who we have become in the process. A simple record of your life with God can serve as a source of encouragement and a reminder of his faithfulness in your life, especially in seasons when you may be prone to forget or doubt his goodness and love for you.

Link to the free PDF by Dwell App: ⁣

https://tinyurl.com/yysjvwjm⁣

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𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟲: 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲⁣

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Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Jeremiah 1:4-10 Acts 11:19-26⁣

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𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥: 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺.⁣

–St. Isaac the Syrian⁣

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In keeping with St. Paul’s words in Romans 12, Christians in every age are invited to be “transformed by the renewing of the mind.” Yet as people who live this side of the printing press, not to mention the internet or the iPhone, how are we to understand these ancient words when endless mental stimulation and information lies just a few swipes or clicks away? While the mind can and should be renewed, it must never be isolated from the holistic transformation of being that is envisioned in and through the Incarnation.⁣

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Jesus took on the fullness of humanity so that humanity in its fullness might be re-deemed. We must never forget, God wants to be known! As the Psalms remind us today, though we have all gone astray and live in self-made exile, our Lord in his kindness speaks to us and makes us able to hear (Ps. 85:8). True knowledge of God is never the abstract acquisition of facts but is an embodied encounter with the living Christ.⁣

Cliché as it may sound, we must remember that it is possible to live with a wealth of information about God without ever encountering his living presence. Faith must never be reduced to a mental pursuit. Advent teaches us that God loves his creatures in our creatureliness, so much so that he takes human nature upon himself. Every sense given to you is a gift from God that is able to lead you closer to him as you journey from this life into glory.⁣

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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸⁣

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Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.⁣

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣

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Sometimes in life we need physical reminders that draw us out of our minds and into the world around us. Find ways today to pray using your entire being. Perhaps you pray with a lit candle or image of Christ nearby that helps focus your thoughts and prayers. Or, consider going on a walk in nature, giving thanks to God as you do for the beauty and wonder of his creation.

Link to free PDF here: https://tinyurl.com/yysjvwjm⁣

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Let Us Return⁣

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𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟴𝟱:𝟭-𝟮, 𝟴-𝟭𝟯 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗮 𝟲:𝟭-𝟲 𝟭 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭:𝟮-𝟭𝟬⁣

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𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨: 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘳𝘦-𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘮, 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯, 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺.⁣

–Lancelot Andrewes⁣

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To live as a Christian, one must learn to be comfortable with tension. Though it is not as simple as we might prefer, wisdom is found in holding seemingly contradictory ideas in proximity to one another. Take, for example, the ancient words given to us today from Hosea 6: “Come, let us return to the LORD.” Within this single phrase we are confronted with the reality of our own initiative and responsibility to tend to our life with God, as well as the fact that any genuine return to God is first made possible by his movement towards us.⁣

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In Advent, as our Lord draws near, we must actively examine the condition of our lives. Are we ready to greet him upon his arrival? In this way, repentance always lies at the heart of faithful preparation. To repent is to not only to feel sorrow over the effect of sin in your heart and life, but it is equally an act of the will, purposefully turning away from sin and death and taking on habits that lead us into places of peace.⁣

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You can passionately pursue God without falling into the trap of anxious toil or self-assured living. In fact, the Incarnation of God is the end of all striving. As we “press on to know the LORD” (Hos. 6:3), we do so knowing that it is God in Christ Jesus who heals us, raises us up, and makes us whole. Advent reminds us that we have work to do, inviting us to take seriously the call to holy and faithful living. Yet this way of life is not of our making, but is a gift to be received, like spring rain that falls to water the parched earth.⁣

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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸⁣

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.⁣

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣

While prayer is meant to be a conversation with God, so often it is a one-way monologue in which we rarely stop to simply listen to God. In many ways, a posture of listening is a physical embodiment of a life free from all striving. As you pray today, however long you spend speaking to God in prayer, take at least the same amount of time listening for his still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12).

Link to 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲’𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 reading here: https://tinyurl.com/yysjvwjm. ⁣

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𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟳𝟵 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗵 𝟱:𝟭-𝟱𝗮 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟮𝟭:𝟯𝟰-𝟯𝟴⁣

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A sublime being entering into a relationship with such a lowly being does no harm to his own reputation, yet raises that other being up from its lowness: this is precisely what was fulfilled in Christ. He did not diminish his divine nature in any way by this lowering of himself, yet we who had been living in darkness and disgrace were raised up to ineffable glory.⁣

–St. John Chrysostom⁣

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At the heart of the Christian faith lies the belief that God sees, loves, and welcomes the forgotten, the marginalized, and the downhearted. In a world that values and celebrates the strong and powerful, time and time again, in word and deed, Jesus reminds us that weakness and humility are the way to glory and the path of lasting peace. In this way, Advent is a persistent reminder of the upside down nature of God’s kingdom.⁣

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The lowliness of the Incarnation was foretold long ago. As Micah reminds us, it is from Bethlehem, “one of the little clans of Judah,” that the true king of Israel will come, one who “shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD (Mic. 5:2, 4). From these humble origins, Jesus continues to invite us to tend to that which is often overlooked, neglected, and undervalued. Do not be weighed down by the worries of this life (Lk. 21:34), but learn to see the glory of God breaking in all around you. It is the mustard seed that grows to give shade and rest to all who draw near (Mt. 13:31-32). It is yeast, small and unseen, that leavens the entire loaf (Lk. 13:20-21).⁣

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In a season filled with countless distractions and sources of potential stress, it is easy to ignore the humble hope of Advent and the tender compassion of our Lord. Similarly, we may be tempted to believe that the cares of life are of little interest to our Lord. Surely, he has more important things demanding his time and attention! Yet in the quiet humility of the manger in Bethlehem, we are reminded once again, there is not a single concern that goes unnoticed, nor any sorrow left unhealed.⁣

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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸⁣

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.⁣

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣

The words that we use in prayer reveal our assumptions about God and how we relate to him. It is for this reason that Jesus teaches us, first and foremost, that God is “Our Father.” While personal, spontaneous prayers are always appropriate and encouraged, take time today to also pray the words our Lord has taught us to pray (Mt. 6:9-13).⁣

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M

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⁣Written by a mentor in ministry when he and his family were under a season of spiritual attack. He is walking in healing and wholeness now.

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Dear Heavenly Father, I pray this prayer in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, I bind, rebuke and bring to no effect; all division, discord, disunity, strife, wrath, murder, criticism, condemnation, pride, envy, jealously, gossip, slander, evil speaking, complaining, lying, false teaching, false gifts, false manifestations, lying signs and wonders, poverty, fear of lack, fear of spirits, deceiving spirits, religious spirits, hindering spirits, retaliatory spirits, occult spirits, witchcraft spirits, spirits of antichrist and all familiar and territorial spirits.⁣

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I bind all curses that have been spoken against me. I bless those who curse me, and pray blessings on those who despitefully use me. I bind all spoken judgments made against me, and judgments I have made against others. I bind the power of negative words from others, and I bind and render useless all prayers not inspired by the Holy Spirit; whether psychic, soul force, witchcraft, or counterfeit tongues that have been prayed against me.⁣

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I am God's child. I resist the devil. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I put on the whole armor of God. I take authority over this day, in Jesus name. Let it be prosperous for me, and let me walk in your love, Lord.⁣

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The Holy Spirit leads and guides me today and fills me with all needed gifting and graces. I discern between the righteous and the wicked. I take authority over the Enemy and all his demons, and those people who are influenced by them. I declare the Enemy is under my feet and shall remain there all day.⁣

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I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I am God's property. Enemy, you are bound from my family, my mind, my body, my home, and my finances. I confess that I am healed and whole. I flourish, am long lived, stable, durable, incorruptible, fruitful, virtuous, full of peace, patience and love. Whatsoever I set my hands to do shall prosper for God supplies all my needs. I have all authority over the Enemy, all demons, and beasts of the field.⁣

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God, I pray for the ministry You have for me. Anoint me God for all you have called me to do for You. I call forth divine appointments, open doors of opportunity; God ordained encounters and ministry positions.⁣

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I claim a hedge of protection, by the Precious Blood of Jesus, around myself, spouse and children (names), throughout this day and night. I ask You God, in the name of Jesus, to dispatch angels to surround me, my spouse, my children, godchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, today and everyday until Jesus returns, and to put them throughout my house and around our cars, souls and bodies. I call on Your holy angels to protect my house from any intrusion and to protect me and my family from any harmful demonic or other physical or mental attacks. I ask all of this in the name of Jesus.⁣ Amen.

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲’𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆𝘂𝗿𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝘆𝘆𝘀𝗷𝘃𝘄𝗷𝗺⁣

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𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯: 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 ⁣

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⁣ 𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟳𝟵 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗵 𝟰:𝟲-𝟭𝟯 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟴:𝟭-𝟭𝟬⁣

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⁣𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨: 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨? 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.⁣

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–St. Augustine of Hippo⁣

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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 ⁣

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Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.⁣

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣

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In the spirit of “heightened attentiveness,” take time today to be fully present to God in prayer. It is easy to squeeze prayer in alongside a dozen other activities. Instead, carve out undistracted time with God, learning to listen afresh for his still small voice⁣

(1 Kings 19:11-12)

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲’𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆𝘂𝗿𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝘆𝘆𝘀𝗷𝘃𝘄𝗷𝗺⁣

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𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮: 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹⁣

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𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟳𝟵 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗵 𝟰:𝟭-𝟱 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟱:𝟭-𝟴⁣

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𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯; 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭.⁣

–Julian of Norwich⁣

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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿⁣

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.⁣

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𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣

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Today, take time to consider when you pray. Just like a healthy diet or exercise plan, you need a predictable routine in order to grow in the life of prayer. While we can and should pray anywhere and at all times, our life with God is strengthened when we establish intentional and predictable patterns of prayer.