Pray your way through Advent - Christmas Day

He’s Here!

To celebrate Christmas we light

the Christ Candle

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, NIV)

Today’s Thought: God Almighty, the Creator of all things, wrapped Himself in flesh and lived among us to show us the nature, power, and glory of the Father. Hallelujah!

Today’s Prayer: Lord God, You created this earth. You gave frail humans dominion over your creation and the right to choose. When we chose poorly, You set a plan in place to reconcile us to You. For centuries you carefully arranged every circumstance, every instance, every detail, until the perfect time arrived. How many spotless lambs were selected from among the flocks of Israel to be sacrificed upon the altar to hide the people’s sins? All those offerings were merely leading up to the perfect Lamb of God, the One who would not cover the people’s sins, but eradicate them forever. At exactly the right moment, You entered this world as a frail infant and arrived humbly among us. On this joyous day I join with millions of Your children to celebrate the incredible fulfillment of Your plan in Jesus’s birth. I am overcome with awe, and filled with gratitude. I love you, Lord. Happy birthday, Jesus!

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your Way through Advent - Peace Day 2

The Candle of Peace – Day 2 - Monday

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7 NLT)

Today’s Thought: The peace God gives me isn’t something I can attain by accomplishing my goals. It comes because Jesus lives in me.

Today’s Prayer:  Lord, as Christmas approaches my anticipation mounts. Most of the gifts have been bought. (I do have that one last thing to pick up!) My menus are planned. Some of the get-togethers are behind me and the ones that haven’t occurred yet are going to be fun. So…why don’t I feel peaceful? At times I want to get this holiday over with so I can relax. My mind circles around the things I haven’t done yet, and the short time I have to do them. And when Christmas is behind me, I’ll have other worries. God, when I get caught up in the whirlwind of worries and thoughts, please help me. Remind me of this verse, and of all You have done for me. Your ear is never closed to me  I can tell you what I need, and trust that You hear me. God, I want to experience Your peace, the kind that I can never achieve by checking all the items off my To Do list. The kind of peace that guards my heart and mind because Jesus lives in me, and I in him. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Peace Day 1

On the fourth week of Advent we light

the candle of Peace

Day 1 - Sunday

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

Today’s Thought: True, lasting peace can only happen when the Prince of Peace is in charge.

Today’s Prayer: Mighty God, this verse is so familiar to me. I read it and sing it at this time every year, and I rejoice in the first part – for unto us a child is born. Today my eyes fall on a different phrase – and the government shall be upon his shoulder. Wow! What a mess Jesus will inherit when He returns. Between the political conflict, wars, terrorist activities, and environmental disasters how can this world ever achieve peace? There is only one hope for true, lasting peace, and that hope lies in the Baby whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. Help me remember that the first Christmas was one step — a very important one — in Your ultimate plan; a plan that will be fulfilled when the Prince of Peace returns and claims His throne as leader of a peaceful world, and as the Ruler in the heart of every human being. Rule in my heart today, Jesus. Amen

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Joy Day 7

The Candle of Joy – Day 7 - Saturday

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4)

   

Today’s Thought: The happiness I feel in giving and receiving during Christmas is only a shadow of the deep joy I have when those I love understand the truth of the Baby in the manger.

Today’s Prayer:  Dear God, when I read this verse my mind is flooded with thoughts of the people I love. Not just my physical children and grandchildren, but those You’ve put in my life to love and befriend and nurture. During this Christmas season I strive to do something to please each one of them – host family dinners, take extra time to connect with those I don’t see often enough, wrack my brain to come up with gifts that will make them happy. I spend so much effort celebrating the Christmas season that I sometimes forget the true meaning—that the Baby whose birthday we commemorate came to reconcile the world to You, the God Who loves us. Any happiness my loved ones will feel when they open the gifts I’ve picked out for them is temporary, fleeting. But the truth of the real reason for Christmas comes with joy that is everlasting. My prayer today is that those I love will understand that truth in a fresh way during this Christmas season. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Joy Day 6

The Candle of Joy – Day 6 - Friday

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! (Psalm 66:1 NIV)

 Today’s Thought: If I shout to celebrate a basketball goal, why don’t I shout for joy at something of eternal value – like Jesus in my life?

Today’s Prayer:  Lord God, the other day I was watching a basketball game and when my team made an important goal I was so excited I leaped up and gave a victory shout. Today when I read this verse, a thought occurred to me: how often do I get so excited about You that I shout out loud? When I think of the enormity that the Savior of the world is unseen but very much alive in my life, I should shout for joy. But I’m hesitant because I care too much what others think of me. If I stood up in church and gave a big “WOO HOO! Jesus is ALIVE!” they’d think I was nuts. This verse also makes me think of your second coming, the second Advent that I anticipate. When I see You face-to-face, I know I won’t be able to hold back a joyful shout. Do I have to wait, Lord? Help me to experience some of that spontaneous, unquenchable joy during this Christmas season. And help me not to care what others think of me for celebrating the joy You give to me.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Joy Day 5

The Candle of Joy – Day 5 - Thursday

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.(Psalm 126:3 NIV)

Today’s Thought: If I concentrate on the things I lack, it’s easy to lose sight of the many things I have to rejoice over.

Today’s Prayer: Lord God, at times I’m too focused on the negative things in my life. Hurts inflicted on me by others. My failure to accomplish my goals. A long To-Do list with not enough check marks on it. Far-away loved ones I won’t see this Christmas. In the face of all that it’s easy to become overwhelmed and negative, and I forget to remember how blessed I am. Sometimes I feel like a child who opens a gift, exclaims over it, and then puts it aside to move on to the next. Lord, I want today to be different. Open my eyes to see the good things You’ve done in my life. Point out the blessings I usually overlook. Give me an attitude of gratitude, because only then will I be filled with joy. Amen

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Joy Day 4

The Candle of Joy – Day 4 - Wednesday

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5b NKJV)

Today’s Thought: Our world needs the joy that comes from Jesus as much today as the people who awaited His arrival centuries ago.

Today’s Prayer: Loving God, I’m counting down the days until Christmas. It’s a time of waiting, of planning, of anticipation. It’s a happy time! But when I really think about the first part of this verse, I feel the pain and uncertainty of the enslaved people of ancient times as they waited for their Savior to come and rescue them. If I look at my life only, I don’t have much reason to weep, and for that I’m grateful. But when I open my eyes to the world around me, to the many who are enslaved physically, emotionally, and spiritually, my heart weeps for our world. We need a Savior every bit as much now as they did then. The difference is we know Who He is. Joy came to a hurting world that morning when Jesus was born. And joy is still here. This Advent season let the joy that came to humanity at the birth of the King of kings well up in me until it overflows into my world. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Joy Day 3

The Candle of Joy – Day 3 - Tuesday

…in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 1:6b, NIV)

Today’s Thought: Joy is not the absence of suffering. I can experience the joy that comes from God no matter what I’m going through.

Today’s Prayer: Generous God, I don’t understand how someone can feel joy in the midst of severe suffering. The first part of this verse doesn’t make sense to my human mind. Then I read the last words – given by the Holy Spirit. Joy isn’t something I can attain on my own. It isn’t a result of happy times, or a stress-free life. Joy is a gift given by Your Spirit regardless of my circumstances. I want more of that divine gift! Today help me to look deeper than my surroundings. As I face whatever today will bring, teach me to draw strength from the unfathomable, abiding joy that comes only from You. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your Way through Advent - Joy Day 2

The Candle of Joy - Day 2 – Monday

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people…and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God... (Luke 2:9-10, 13 KJV)

Today’s Thought: The good news of the birth of our Savior comes with joy for every person ever born on this earth.

Today’s Prayer: Lord God, what must it have been like for those shepherds out in the field when Your glory burst through the night sky? If I close my eyes I can almost see the brilliance of a multitude of angels singing for joy at the birth of the long-awaited Savior. What glorious news! Fill me with the same joy the shepherds must have felt when they realized what was happening. And give me courage to do as they did—to look for Jesus, to see Him with my own eyes, and then to spread the good news of great joy that our Savior has come. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved

Pray Your Way through Advent - Joy Day 1

On the third week of Advent we light

the candle of Joy

Day 1 - Sunday

“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:44, NIV)

Today’s Thought: The joy that every parent feels at the birth of their baby is merely a shadow of the great and abiding joy that entered the world through the newborn Son of God.

Today’s Prayer: Most Holy Father, like Elizabeth’s unborn child, the nearness of Your Son fills me with joy. Christmas is almost here, and already my heart stirs with the anticipation of seeing that tiny baby placed in the manger in my nativity set. As the time for celebrating Jesus’s birth approaches, I don’t want to become distracted by shopping and cooking and decorations. Help me to keep my focus on that empty manger, soon to be filled with the Source of all joy. Though that manger is symbolically empty now, fill me with the joy of Your constant presence in my life. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Love day 7

On the second week of Advent we light

the candle of Love

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV)

Today’s Thought: Truly loving others in thought and deed is not easy! To love in a way that honors God requires His divine help.

Today’s Prayer: The minister read those words at my wedding, Lord. At the time I vowed to model the true nature of love not only in my marriage, but in every relationship. Now, years later, I realize how hard it really is to live that kind of love. Forgive me for the times I’ve been impatient; when I’ve allowed pride in my own accomplishments to overshadow my love for others; when I’ve flown off the handle in anger; when I’ve harbored bitterness instead of forgiveness. Teach me to love like You do, God, because I can’t do it without You. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Love day 6

On the second week of Advent we light

the candle of Love

But I have trusted in your faithful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. (Psalm 13:5 CEB)

Today’s Thought: God’s answer to the oppression of His chosen people two thousand years ago is the same answer He gives to us today – Jesus!

Today’s Prayer: Timeless God, the days leading up to Jesus’s birth were full of oppression, turmoil, and injustice. Kind of like today. Your chosen people trusted You for hundreds of years to send a savior to rescue them from tyranny and persecution. You answered with the most amazing gift of love the world has ever known—Yourself, God in flesh, in the human form of a Baby. Only a handful of people rejoiced at that time, because they didn’t recognize Your love. But I do, Lord. I rejoice in Your salvation, for me and for the entire world. In this Advent season as I prepare to celebrate the birth of that holy Child, build in me an anticipation, an expectation of His return. I trust You to send Him in exactly the right time, because Your love is faithful and true. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Love day 5

On the second week of Advent we light

the candle of Love

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18, CEB)

Today’s Thought: I have no reason to be afraid of anything, because the light of God’s love illuminates the dark places in my life.

Today’s Prayer: Loving God, I don’t view myself as a fearful person, but when I really consider the nature of fear I realize differently. I worry about so many things—injury, natural disasters, war, sickness, school shootings, my family members coming to harm, finances, death. The list goes on. And what is worry except another aspect of fear? Today as I contemplate the flickering flame of the candle of love, I see how the light banishes the darkness around it. You are the light in the darkness of my life. In the light of Your love, the darkness flees. Shine brighter in me today, God. Drive away the fears I hide inside and flood me with Your light. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Love day 4

On the second week of Advent we light

the candle of Love

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. (1 John 4:16b NRSV)

Today’s Thought: I can’t fully comprehend divine love, but I can live in love because God lives in me.

Today’s Prayer: Almighty God, it is hard for me to understand the enormity of You. I view you from my limited human perspective, which has been influenced by my earthly relationships. People who have professed to love me have hurt me—parents, family members, friends—and those hurts corrupt my understanding of the real love You have for me. You are love. Love is the very substance of You. When I look at the Baby in the manger, I am seeing the perfect example of true, everlasting love. I will never understand that fully until I see you face to face, but I don’t want to wait that long. Teach me more about You today. Give me a glimpse of divine love in the midst of my activities of the day. Help me to live, to abide in Your love this Christmas season and always. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Love day 3

On the second week of Advent we light

the candle of Love

“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no greater commandment than these.” (Mark 12:31, NIV)

Today’s Thought: True love means recognizing that others are equally as important as ourselves, and putting that realization into action.

Today’s Prayer: Loving God, some people are difficult to be pleasant to, much less to love. Others are easy, and yet do I truly love even those people as much as I do myself? Sometimes I have an over-inflated opinion of my own importance. Forgive me for that, Lord. During this season when I look forward to celebrating the birth of Your Son, give me a deeper understanding of Your love for every person I encounter. Help me to take my focus off of myself and open my eyes to opportunities to meet the needs of others. Show me how to treat others in a way that demonstrates Your divine love. Amen

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Love day 2

On the second week of Advent we light

the candle of Love

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30, NIV)

Today’s Thought: True love means putting God first in my life, and completely devoting every part of my being to loving Him.

Today’s Prayer: Dear God, I love you so much—in theory. I say the words, “I love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength,” and I truly mean them. But the world presses in. My days are filled with activities, many of them performed in Your service. At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Jewish people performed burnt offerings and sacrifices, and thought they were loving you. Sometimes I go to bed at night and am ashamed at how few of my thoughts during the day have focused on You. Today and every day through this busy season, please teach me what it means to truly love you with every part of my being. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Love day 1

On the second week of Advent we light

the candle of Love

“How great is the love the father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! …” (1 John 3:1a, NIV)

Today’s Thought: God sent His only begotten Son into the world to show all of humanity the way to become His children.

Today’s Prayer: God of Divine Love, today I am overcome with the enormity of Your love for me. When I look at my life, I see the many ways I fail to live up to the privilege of being Your child. But when You look at me, You see through eyes of pure love. Deep in my soul a question burns: how can that be? The answer lies at the end of this Advent season, for it is through Jesus that true love came into the world, and through Him I am drawn into Your family. I know there’s nothing I could ever do to deserve the honor of being Your child, but I’m not on my own. Jesus places His arm around me and pulls me into Your throne room, and presents me to You as one of His sheep. Because of Him, I am free to run to Your throne as Your own child. What an incredible thing! How can I spread this amazing gift of divine love? As each day of Advent passes, let Your love, the love of the Christ Child, grow and expand in me until it overflows into the world around me. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Hope day 7

On the first Sunday of Advent we light

the candle of Hope

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12, NIV)

Today’s Thought: God’s desire for me today is to experience His deep, abiding, energizing joy no matter what circumstances I find myself in.



Today’s Prayer: Dear Loving God, I’m not always joyful. In fact, sometimes I can be downright cranky. The stresses of the Christmas season often pull my attention away from the reason we celebrate. But You want me to be joyful, regardless of what’s going on around me. And how can I not be joyful when I have the certainty of eternity with You, thanks to the holy baby whose birth we will soon celebrate? Throughout this day, remind me to pray about every circumstance in which I find myself. Give me an extra portion of patience when I need it. Most of all, let me not forgot, for one moment, the hope I have in You because of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Hope day 6

On the first Sunday of Advent we light

the candle of Hope

…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)

Today’s Thought: The hope of my relationship with Jesus is not an intangible, wishful feeling. The Lord offers true strength when I place my hope in Him.


Today’s Prayer: Dearest Lord, this season can become overwhelming. Christmas is weeks away and already I feel overwhelmed and exhausted when I think of all the things that need to be done. Gifts to purchase. Gatherings to plan. Family members to contact. Bills to be paid. (Always bills!) Today, help me to remember that my hope in You comes with a tangible benefit—strength and energy! Remind me all day long that You are always with me, that when I feel overwhelmed or tired, You step in and whisper, “It’s okay. Lean on me. I’ve got this.” I love you, Lord, and I gladly place my hope in you today. Amen

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.

Pray your way through Advent - Hope day 5

On the first Sunday of Advent we light

the candle of Hope

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27, NIV)

Today’s Thought: We who belong to Christ Jesus have been given the privilege of reflecting the nature and character of God.

Today’s Prayer: All-knowing God, You entrusted a young and inexperienced girl with the job of birthing and raising Your only Son. What an incredibly daunting task Mary faced. Even more incredible is the fact that You trust me to bear His name, the name of Christian. Follower of Christ. The Apostle Paul spoke of a mystery, something the world before Jesus’s time could never understand. Even now I find it hard to comprehend that You would not only reconcile humanity to Yourself, but that You would let us share in Your own nature and character—your glory!—when we accept Jesus into our hearts. Left to my own devices, I have no hope, but You have not left me to myself. You sent Your Son to earth to save me, and to give me the most amazing hope of all—eternity with You. Let that hope guide my every word, every action, and every thought today and always. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.