Prayer - First Sunday of Advent - December 1, 2024

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. (Psalm 145:3)

For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods. (Psalm 95:3)

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is beyond measure. (Psalm 147:5).

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. (Psalm 47:1-2)

God, there is so much turmoil, chaos, uncertainty, bitterness, jealousy, anger, and things like these in the world – in the world around us - effecting people every day. It seems that things continue to get worse, every day, driving us to our knees in prayer. Sometimes the only words that come out of our lips is, “Help, Lord!”

We are entering the season when the focus of so many people is on giving presents to those they love and care about, getting gifts that are on their wish lists, traveling and spending time with family, and too often, going into more debt than they can afford. For many people this is also a season of remembering and reliving sad, and even traumatic experiences in their life – the rates of depression and the downward spiral of self-destructive behaviors rising dramatically. The loneliness of the hearts of many is ignored by those who are preoccupied with the “joy of the season” bolstered by parties, shopping, and all that the commercial culture promotes.

You, Lord, have called us to something more, something better. You said in your Word that the intention of the heart of humans was evil from their youth. And so, you made a way for us to be reconciled to you – through your Son, Jesus Christ. For us, believers in your Son, Jesus, this season is more than just a time to join in the secular world’s celebratory festivities. Instead, we choose to remember that your love for us was demonstrated by sending your Son into the world, as a baby, born like us, but who would freely give up His life to free us from the penalty of our sins.

This season is designated to remember and be thankful for His birth - Jesus, the Hope of the world. Today is the first Sunday of the season known as Advent, a time of reflective preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth (celebrated at Christmas time) as well as looking forward to Christ’s expected return for His Church in His Second Coming. The candle that has been lit in the Advent Wreath represents the message and gift of Hope.

Father God, every word in scripture points to the gift of hope that we have because of Christ Jesus. The Christmas story wasn’t the beginning of that message of hope because the old testament is full of glimpses of your plan to redeem your people and restore them into a relationship with you, but we are able to truly begin to see and understand just how great your love for us is when we read the story of Jesus’ birth in scripture.

Help us to see that you are Emmanuel, God with us. Nothing is too difficult, too messy, or too dirty for you. Jesus came to give us the gift of eternal life through the salvation that only you, our Heavenly Father, can give when we believe on your Son, repent of our sins, and confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

That first Christmas, you gave us the gift of hope wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Thank you, Father, for your immeasurable gift. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

by Bro. John Hawkins Jr.