New Christmas Prayer Guide from IFA
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New Christmas Prayer Guide from IFA
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As December rushes by, my heart goes out to those who are hurting, scared, or confused. Christmas is a joyful time for many, but not for everyone – especially in the challenging times we have endured over the past year.
Most families have been touched, and not in a good way, by the pandemic, the mandates, and the fear and anxiety that goes with it. Many have lost loved ones and some have lost jobs so there seems to be little reason for celebration.
I can imagine Mary, the chosen mother of Jesus, felt much the same way.
Looking back through the book of Luke, we find Mary was visited by an angel to give her the good news that she was going to be with child. Mary, a virgin, was going to become pregnant. This good news meant she may have to deal with the stigma of being a woman pregnant before marriage. Not only that, but nine months later when it was time to give birth, Joseph couldn’t even find a safe, warm place for her as the time arrived to bring this Son of God into the world. No one had room for them. This holy child was born in a manger. This woman, chosen by God, gave birth in a stable, surrounded by animals, hay, and cold. How could this be?
Yet, I find no place in scripture where Mary complained. Quite the opposite. In Luke 1:47, scriptures declare, “And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God, my Savior.'”
Today, we again find ourselves in times of uncertainty. As we face serious challenges, it is understandable to question God, to wonder where He is in all this. Like Mary, it seems there is no safe place to lay our head and rest. How can we possibly give birth to the things God has placed in our hearts? Can we even celebrate during this time?
Like Mary, we must choose to magnify the Lord and choose to rejoice in God. We reflect on what we already know—Christmas is not about us. It’s not about presents, family gathering, or parties. It is all about Jesus, our Lord. Even when we don’t understand. Even when it looks like He is not watching over us, as Mary may have felt.
He is still Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and He is still the Prince of Peace. He has not changed. The truth found in Luke is still truth.
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God will give him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:32,33.)
In this season of uncertainty, one thing remains clear. Jesus has not changed. The reason for this season has not changed. May we choose this year to magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior.
Author Kim Potter is a writer and the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, Charisma, Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the heart of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, imparting hope. To receive her daily inspirational writings, go to www.anewthingministries.com.
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Lord, I pray for all the lonely singles in this nation. They have suffered job losses, economic losses and isolation. I pray that you would move on church leadership to minister to this overlooked and undervalued demographic. The holidays are a lonely time of year for many in the best of times. How much worse is it for those who have no family and are cut off from whatever social ties they have. May the eyes of the church be opened to the call to minister to the lonely. It is not optional and it is no less valuable or important that ministry to families.
Heavenly Father, our hearts mourn with those who mourn loss of loved ones from covid, from tornadoes, loss of jobs to feed their children. Our hearts are burdened for children experiencing anxieties & fears, who see the worried looks on their parents’ faces. As Mary faced the pains of childbirth, we ask that You use these birth pains as we approach Your return, to open people’s eyes & hearts to the gift of Jesus this Christmas. Use Your people to minister & witness to those who have not yet received Your gift of salvation, who find these times crazy, fearful & confusing, in great celebration of Your birth. Use us to show that in Christ there is joy, forgiveness of sins, hope, healing, peace & eternal life. In order that You might bless our nation once more, we ask of Your Holy Spirit to convict great numbers of sin, of righteousness, of judgment to repent, turn from our wicked ways, to desire righteous leaders, authorities, institutions & influences for our children and to actively, prayerfully fight for them in a spiritual battle for their souls. Forget not America, dedicated to Your will & purposes, breathed into life from Your Word to give us enormous blessing with a Constitution of liberty & freedom we are losing. May we once more become a city on a hill, for the eyes of the world are upon us. Bring to repentance leaders who can be saved, removing those who refuse to promote global freedom, human rights, support for Israel, the apple of Your eye, who do not support persecuted Christians because they are in rebellion to You with hostility for Christians in America. Show them they are causing suffering around the world. Forget not Your people in unceasing prayer for a great spiritual awakening while You are shaking all things. Bind the spirits of fear & confusion hanging over America & the world. My prayers may be awkward, I may not be the woman You fully desire I be, but I humbly ask these things. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.