Good morning, Lord. Thank you for the hope that every Christmas season brings. People who don’t even believe in you celebrate in some way. How many people go to a Christmas Eve service, who never step foot in a church any other day of the year? The hope of Christmas still attracts them – the lost and seeking – even if only one day out of the year!
I pray for those souls now, Lord. Please draw them again this year. Draw their searching hearts into your open arms. Stir within – a longing for you, God. Turn on the light of your Spirit in their hearts and minds. Draw them once again, Lord. And for those who will “see” you with new eyes – I pray that believers will come near and stand with them. Bring your church near to those seeking and choosing you this Christmas. Cause within our hearts a knowing of who is in need. Draw us to them with words of hope and encouragement. Pour out your love to them, through us, so they might experience the love you have for them, Lord. Give us wisdom and compassion to gently lead them to your Word, to community and to prayer.
O Lord, you know already who will come…bring about a miraculous change in these hearts, God. You are the miracle-working, heart-transforming, Creator and Sustainer God! I call on your name, Jesus…for your healing power to bind up the wounds that have hurt so deep, they no longer feel. Shower your mercy on those who are lonely or who feel unworthy. Break through hard hearts of those who have built a protective wall that lets no one near. Be the balm of Gilead, Lord, for the ones who are scorched by life – spiritually, emotionally, physically. Quench the thirsty and hungry with your truth and life – the bread and water that restores and refreshes.
You know them all, Father. You hear their hearts crying out for peace. Let your love and grace pour out O God! Draw them to you this Christmas and open their eyes and their hearts to you, Prince of Peace. I will pray this – Isaiah 9 – over all the souls who need you, those searching, Lord – those who will come – and see:
…There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at a harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child will be born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace – there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:1-7)
Thank you for the hope of Christmas – our hope, who is Christ Jesus!
In Your Name I pray, Jesus…Prince of Peace…AMEN.