Prayer Ministry

From the Prayer Corner:  Christmas and New Year’s Prayers

 

An Advent Prayer to the Prince of Peace

 

Lord Jesus, in a season when every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life - burdens that steal the joy right out of our Christmas stockings.  Loved ones are sick or have passed away this year, politics are divisive, world news is scary, violence erupts nearby, tragedy arrives as innocent victims suffer, and an inner voice whispers, “Be afraid!”.  We need your peace, Jesus. We confess that our hearts are too often filled with wonder of a different kind: fearfully wondering when the bills will be paid, when the terror will stop, when or if the healing will happen, when rest will come. Will it ever? Is the message still true? In a world where worry and turmoil, not peace, prevails, please, Jesus, stir up that Good News in us again. 

 

This Advent 2024, make it real in our hearts. Never have we needed Your joy and peace more than now. Thank You for the gift of Yourself, Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh, God with us. We not only need Your peace and joy; Lord, we crave it. You’ve promised rest for the weary, victory for the battle-scarred, peace for the anxious, healing for the hurting, and acceptance for the broken hearted - not just at Advent, but every day of every year. Your name is still called “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” and “The Prince of Peace.” We know that peace on earth can only come when hearts find peace with You. You are still our Joy. You are still our Peace. You are always our Salvation and our eternal home.  You are no longer a babe in the manger. You are Lord of lords and King of kings. And we still celebrate and praise You as our Lord and Savior —this Christmas and always. Thank You Jesus!

(Portions taken from an article by Rebecca Barlow Jordan.)

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Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for 2025

 

Some of us start off the New Year with goals of learning new things – maybe take an online class,  learn a new language, or teach ourselves a new craft or new skills.  Many of us also start off the New Year with goals of eating healthier and being more physically active.  Experts suggest eating more healthy fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and taking up a walking program of 30 minutes or 3000 steps a day for 5 days a week. 

Did you know that Jesus has a “Learning” and a “Walking” program for us too?! 

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“O loving Lord Jesus, trusting you, we devote our hearts to learning about You, and our lives to walking with You in this New Year 2025.
Teach us truth, that we may walk with courage.
Teach us mercy, that we may walk with gentleness and humility.
Teach us forgiveness, that we may walk with compassion.
Teach us grace, that we may walk with strength.
Teach us wonder, that we may walk with joy and praise.
Teach us goodness, that we may walk with those in need.
Teach us love, that we may walk in love with You.                                                     

O loving Lord Jesus, learning from You and Your Word, may we walk well with You through this New Year 2025.  In Your Precious Name we pray, Amen.”

(Portions taken from an article by  J. Bradley Wigger)