The Christmas Gift of Prayer
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’."
Acts 20:35
This time of year we spend time and money choosing that perfect gift for our loved ones and maybe close friends. Don't you love watching the receiver delight in opening and realize your gift? I do! Did you know the old saying “it is better to give than receive” was actually spoken by Jesus? (Acts 20:35) .
Several years ago, I wrote a personal prayer for my husband. This intercession was created by weaving together holy scripture for a message of encouragement. With this season of joy, I can't help but think of those who are walking through a difficult season-one of deep lament. If you know someone in a difficult time or uncertainty. Would you consider printing this and sharing these words of encouragement, maybe even wrap it with a bow.
In Matthew 6:25-30 Jesus commanded us not to worry. Yet, it can creep back in, and before we realize worry fills our mind and hearts once again. Worry robs us of joy, and even more detrimental -- like Job, it can minimize our view of God, and take our focus from God to over-thinking our concerns.
The effective discipline and response to combat worry is prayer. It provides peace when we don’t have the answers and lack understanding. Praying scripture over the life of someone is such a beautiful way to express our trust in God and symbolically place them into God’s loving hands. Praying back to Him the very words provided in the Bible is a powerful way to bless our loved ones
This Christmas, give the gift of prayer. Grab a quiet moment or better yet, print this prayer, date it and add a loved one’s name.
Dear Father God,
You alone are holy, the most high. Your love for us is so great as evidenced by the cross of Jesus Christ. That sacrificial love began one day in a manger in Bethlehem, for without Christmas, Easter would not have come. I thank You for sending us Jesus and providing a way for Your love and grace to allow me to live a hope filled life on earth. I look forward to spending eternity with You. Now in the name of Jesus Christ, I lift up (___________) to you, and ask for Your blessings over (______________’s) life.
Lord, I come humbly and pray for (______________), may you find my heart pure and motives honoring You. “Hear my cry, Oh Lord, listen to my prayer.” Psalms 61:1
“Oh Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear this prayer Your servant is praying before You day and night.” Nehemiah 2:5-6a (NIV)
“I ask whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable and if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - I ask that You would be near (_______________) right now. Help (_____________) think about such things so that Your peace will overflow and overwhelm (_______________).” Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
“Lord, I ask You to fill (_______________) with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. I pray this in order that (______________) may live a life worthy of You and please You in every way, bearing fruit in every good work. Please grow (_______________) in the knowledge of Christ, that (________________) will be strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that (_______________) may have great endurance and patience and joyfully give thanks to You.” Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)
“Father, may Your help be ever present and help (________________) forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, help (________________) press on towards the goal to win the prize for which YOU have called (_______________) heavenward in Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
“Father, I ask that Your hope will fill (_______________’s) heart. The hope that does not disappoint (________________), because Your love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 (NIV). Your Holy Spirit is a great gift and I pray that (________________’s) heart will be open to Your Holy Spirit and that all wisdom and peace will fill (______________’s ) heart and remove anything from (_______________’s) heart that is not of You.
“You alone are the Lord of Heaven‘s Armies, for this reason I kneel before You Father and I pray that out of Your glorious riches that You may strengthen (_______________) with power through Your Spirit in (___________’s) inner being, so that Christ may dwell in (____________’s) heart through faith. And I pray that(_______________), being rooted and established in love will have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know that this love surpasses knowledge that (________________) may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God. Now to God who is able to do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within (________________), to You be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever!” Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)
“Lord, it is my prayer that Your love may abound more and more in knowledge and in depth of insight for (_______________), so that (_______________) may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. “ Philippians 1:9-10
I pray for (_________________) to know You through the salvation of Jesus Christ. I ask that you pursue (________________) for (_______________’s) good and Your glory. I ask that You would make Yourself known to (_______________) in an amazing way this day. In the holy name of Jesus Christ I pray through the resurrection power ,
Amen
If you would like a pdf version of this just comment below and I'll email it.
I would love to hear from you!