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Title: Advent Prayer
Date: Monday, December 3, 2018
Focus: Mark 1:35
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Consider: Jesus was very busy and his attention was in high demand. Despite the pressure, or perhaps because of the pressure, he knew that he needed time alone with his Heavenly Father. Because of his busyness, Jesus rose “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, … departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” This certainly challenges me to do the same. I want more of this in my life each day.
Challenge: Determine when you will set aside time to pray. I have found that early morning is the most rewarding time for me to do this. The house is quiet and my mind is still. It is helpful to have a specific place and time to pray.
I also find it helpful to have a predetermined sequence of things to do. For example, read a psalm, sing a hymn or carol, offer praise and thanksgiving, read another passage of the Bible, talk to God about your concerns and present any requests, pray the Lord’s Prayer, close with an historic prayer for the church such as the one below.
Candles and music and art can be helpful, but make sure that prayer is about communication with God. It is easy for me to become distracted by the things of worship and lose sight of the purpose. Stay focused, self!
That being said, let us pray…
Collective Prayer for Monday Mornings in Advent:
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, p. 204)
Today:
Ladies’ Lunch, noon, Covenant House
Women of all ages are invited to bring their own lunch and join encouraging discussion of topics related to women.
Tomorrow:
Brotherhood Breakfast, 6:40-7:30 a.m., Poets
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