Today is Saturday, Dec. 17, the twenty-first day in the Advent season.
Morning
Praise and Thanksgiving.
Let’s begin our prayers with Psalm 102. In our weakness, God’s strength becomes most evident to us.
Let’s also pray these words:
“Dear Lord, may our living generations and generations to come always exalt your name, with praises going up until the day when all generations are brought together before you. Some generations may seem more blessed in worldly ways than others, but we all are offered the gift of eternal life, putting us on equal footing as we humble ourselves and follow you. Grow us together in grace and love until eras, styles and tastes have passed, and all that remains is your holy light. Amen.”
What other words of thanks and praise might we lift up?
Confession. Let’s continue to think of God as a listening friend, one who is holy and wise.
Petitions. Let’s focus on family needs today, including our own individual needs.
Scripture: John 3:31-36. Is what we see immediately in front of us always better than what is unseen?
Silence.
Noon
Let’s continue to pray this prayer together daily:
“Lord, we have entered a season of expectation. We remember the Israelites’ past desire for a savior to arrive, and we mirror what they felt as we long now for the return of Jesus Christ. Come Lord Jesus, come! We pray this with some trepidation, knowing we never feel completely ready for such a day, and that loved ones around us may not be ready. And yet we continue to pray, Come Lord Jesus, come! We trust that your grace at your return will so overwhelm sin and death that all will be set right. As we pray for your full arrival, teach us how to make ourselves ready, living as watchful people. Amen.”
Night
At a minimum, let’s spend some significant time in a quiet, reflective state before retiring for the night. Embrace the day’s spiritual victories and release the failures.
Remember how important controlled breathing can be as we settle ourselves into our relationship with God. He breathed into us the breath of life; the Spirit came as wind and a life-altering fire.
Sleep well. May visions from God reveal something not previously seen.
Methodist Life 