Dear Praying Friends~As I write this today, my heart is aching for revival in the Body of Christ. It has to begin in each of us and I hope you will be praying for revival, too. There seems to be such an urgency right now and I find myself “praying without ceasing.” May God be glorified as we start a new week praying: SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE CELEBRATE YOUR FIRST COMING AND AWAIT YOUR RETURN! This week, we will continue in our Advent theme as we read from Isaiah 11. I hope you will continue with me. Blessings~Gina
Monday, December 4, 2023: Read Isaiah 11:1-2
Prayer Pointer: God’s eye is upon His people; their eye is upon Him. In waiting upon God, our eye, looking up to Him, meets His looking down upon us. ~Andrew Murray
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, as we await Your return, help me and my brothers and sisters throughout the earth to walk by Your Spirit. In these difficult days, You are with us. Help us to remember to call upon You, to look up to You often in this day and in the days ahead. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE CELEBRATE YOUR FIRST COMING AND AWAIT YOUR RETURN!
Think/Journal/Apply: Put a note on your bathroom mirror this week that says: “Call out to God.”
As you have time: The One Coming by Ray Steadman
Tuesday, December 5, 2023: Read Isaiah 11: 3-4
Prayer Pointer: …when Jesus emptied Himself at the incarnation, He allowed the Holy Spirit to fill Him as a man, being an eternal example to us and a sympathizer with us. ~Matthew Henry
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, thank You for Your heart toward people. Your gift to the world is beyond my comprehension. Your love for us is overwhelming. Open the eyes of many around the world who have not known of You or have hardened their heart against You. Show us that Your incarnation is the greatest gift of Christmas. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE CELEBRATE YOUR FIRST COMING AND AWAIT YOUR RETURN!
Think/Journal/Apply: How can I cultivate gratitude and joy during this season, even in difficult circumstances?
As you have time: Worship Song: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Wednesday, December 6, 2023: Read Isaiah 11:5-6
Prayer Pointer: “God gives God. That is the gift God always ultimately gives. Because nothing is greater and we have no greater need, God gives God. God gives God, and we only need to slow long enough to unwrap the greatest Gift with our time: time in His Word, time in His presence, time at His feet.” – Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, during this season that seems to stir “busyness”, help me to quiet my heart and sit at Your feet. Help me to know You in greater measure as the greatest gift of all time. Protect me from the pressures of the world that tell me to have more and be more. Help me to truly celebrate Your birth anew. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE CELEBRATE YOUR FIRST COMING AND AWAIT YOUR RETURN!
Think/Journal/Apply: Recall your conversion experience. Remember the joy of your salvation. Don’t forget your first love. Look entirely to Jesus this Advent and Christmas season.
As you have time: Worship Song: Behold
Thursday, December 7, 2023: Read Isaiah 11:7-8
Prayer Pointer: “A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes – and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God is in the Manger
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, I look forward to the day when the earth will be completely redeemed by the presence of Your Kingdom. Help me to wait patiently in this season called Advent. Remind me that today we are one day closer to Your return. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE CELEBRATE YOUR FIRST COMING AND AWAIT YOUR RETURN!
Think/Journal/Apply: What lessons have I learned from the challenging experiences I’ve had this year?
As you have time: Max Lucado, Anything But a King
Friday, December 8, 2023: Read Isaiah 11:9-10
Prayer Pointer: The miraculous birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus was accomplished through the zeal, that white hot burning love, that God has for us. ~Through the Bible Daily Devotions
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, thank You for loving me so beautifully and wholeheartedly. I know that sometimes my heart is wandering and I ask You to forgive me. I want to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE CELEBRATE YOUR FIRST COMING AND AWAIT YOUR RETURN!
Think/Journal/Apply: What are my hopes for my spiritual growth in the coming year?
As you have time: Worship Song: Light of the World, Lauren Daigle
Saturday & Sunday, December 9 & 10, 2023: Review Isaiah 11:1-10
I hope that you have had time this week to slow down. Consider taking some extra sabbath this weekend. I encourage you to gather in corporate prayer and worship. Let’s keep praying: SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE CELEBRATE YOUR FIRST COMING AND AWAIT YOUR RETURN!
Bible/prayer prompts for December 11-17, 2023 will post at midnight on Monday, December 11th.
Rhythms of Grace 