Daily Archives: December 5, 2011

Christmas, Prayer

21 Prayers for the Holidays #1

Pray for those who have experienced the pain and heartache of losing a loved one this year.

Christmas can be an incredibly hard time for those who have lost loved ones. The pain and hurt is only magnified if this is the first Christmas without them.

I’ve always appreciated the way Eugene Peterson translated Matthew 5:4 in the Message. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives comfort to those who mourn saying, “You’re blessed when you feel like you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”

Take some time today to pray that those who are hurting and missing their spouse or child or friend will be comforted by God. Pray that he will embrace them as only he can and will carry them through their grief.

Additional Scriptures:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:1–3 NIV11)

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 NIV11)

 

Advent, Prayer

21 Prayers for the Holidays

During the month of November, people all across Facebook used their status updates to express their Thankfulness for the people and the blessing they have received in their life. While I didn’t personally participate by posting status updates, I was impacted by reading what my friends and family members we thankful for. They helped me reassess my life and what I was truly thankful for.

As November came to a close, I began thinking how I could start something meaningful through the month of December to continue a heart posture of thankfulness. This morning, I heard God issue me a challenge.

As of today there are 21 days until Christmas Day. The holidays can be a wonderful time filled with family, friends, music, celebration, and joy. In fact, this is probably my favorite time of year. However, just below the surface of this joyous season, pain and hurt and confusion and sorrow are also present.

What if I spent the next 21 days praying for different groups of people during the holiday season? What if we prayed for people who were hurting and struggling? What is we prayed for people that were experiencing times of joy and love this season? What if prayed for those overseas?

What if we did it together?

For the next 21 days, I will be posting a prayer each day here on the blog and through my status update on Facebook.

So, I’m issuing this challenge: Will you join me in praying for people over the next 21 days? Between now and Christmas day, will you take time out of your day to lift others up in prayer?

I will post the first prayer later today- around 2pm CST.