7 Prayers That Work

  Lord God of heaven, Thank you for Christmas. Thank you for breathing on us the Word of Life, for pouring out your Spirit on Mary, for empowering Joseph, for transforming shepherds and wise men. Christmas is a heavenly gift with global proportions. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to earth to save me. Thank you for humbling yourself to be born as a helpless infant (see Philippians 2 ) a human with frailties and limitations so I could trust that you understand me. So that you could take my place before God as a sinner who needs salvation ( 1 Peter 2:24 ). You created me with love in your heart-- Thank you for designing me for a purpose. And not just me: you've made and loved every person throughout human history, regardless of their response to your love. You offer everyone the hope of heaven. Thank you for fulfilling your own promises on Christmas Day, for living and dying for, for rising again in power over death--also for me. Thank you for forgiving my sins and interceding before ...

God promised Adam and Eve that a Savior would come. David, Hosea, Malachi, and Isaiah (and others) prophesied about his birth and his life. All the Old Testament pointed to his coming. People waited for thousands of years for him. They waited for the Messiah--the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, and the Prince of Peace. God in flesh, Emmanuel. Mary and Joseph waited for Jesus' birth and then for his revelation. Jesus' followers waited for him to take action. The church waited for him to return.  We wait for Jesus to answer our prayers. We wait for circumstances to change. We think he doesn't move fast enough, but he has never stopped moving. Christmas proves that.  We wait. We expect . We hope . We trust . Oh, God of heaven and earth,  I praise you for your gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Thank you for sending him to save us from our sins over 2000 Christmases ago. Your generosity astounds me! Thank you for always fulfilling your promises. You are never late ...

What is God saying to you this Christmas? Do you know? Because He is speaking. He is calling. He is encouraging. He is blessing. Prayer is a two-way street. When we read Scripture, God speaks to us. When we pray, He confirms or corrects what we think we've heard. And we respond to Him. It's holy communication. Consider Mary's story this Christmas as a wonderful pattern of prayer for us humans. It's also a revelation about how God speaks to us and responds to our fear. Because we're all afraid . GOD (through an ANGEL): Greetings, (God sees you) you who are highly favored! (You are special to God, with special blessings from God) The Lord is with you. (You are not alone , ever) Do not be afraid, (God knows how you feel without you saying anything) Mary, (God knows your name and everything about you) you have found favor with God. (Again, you are blessed) You will be with child and give birth to a son.... (God has a particular calling on your life; it will ...

Lord God in heaven, We've entered the holiday season of giving. Thank you for giving Jesus as a Savior to save my soul. Thank for you for Thanksgiving and Christmas, for this season of peace, hope, gratefulness, and love. Fill me with your Spirit so I radiate your love during the next month. I want to be like you--completely generous, compassionate toward the poor and needy, thankful for your generosity, full of contentment and grace. Show me where and how to give of myself, my resources, my patience, my compassion, and my faith this season. May I not hoard the blessings you've given me. Make me a cheerful giver! In Jesus' holy name, Amen. For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ( John 3:16) Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a  cheerful   giver . ( 2 Corinthians 9:7 )

Merry Christmas, everyone —I pray that your day will be filled with delight, joy, and thanksgiving. The Hallmark movie kind of moments would be great, for sure, but I hope you have more substantial moments filled with real love, acceptance, and security. I hope you are humbled by the meaning and spirit of Christmas. Christ with us, the hope of glory. God took on human flesh—and a helpless baby from a poor, unwed mother, at that—and He called Himself “Emmanuel,” God with us. I pray for God to be with you today and every day, to give your life purpose and meaning. Not just on Christmas so you have warm fuzzy feelings of happiness, but every day when the warm fuzzies are gone and you have to work and pay bills and be kind to difficult people. God with you, and give you hope, peace, and eternal glory. Amen. Merry Christmas!