Prayer To Prepare Our Hearts This Christmas

How to Prepare Your Heart for Christmas

Prayer To Prepare Our Hearts This Christmas

Welcome to our special series, “Keeping Christ at the Center of Your Holidays.”

Over the next few weeks, you get to enjoy the wonderful words of my amazing friends as they share with you creative and practical ways you can keep Christ in the middle of all of your celebrations.

Our prayer is that you will come to know Him, worship Him, enjoy Him, celebrate Him, and share Him with family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. People all around us need to know the love of Jesus.

May we all be bright “lights” this year – sharing hope with those who need it most!

I don’t mean to alarm you, but are you aware that Christmas is in just ­­under 50 days?  

Though Thanksgiving hasn’t yet arrived, fall decor is on discount, and the store shelves are now full of red and green, toys, and advertisements for layaway plans.

Where, oh where has the time this year has gone???

Personally, I view the celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Epiphany, and the New Year as one long and a wonderful holiday season full of gratitude, love, and giving. So… let’s talk about Christmas!

Focusing on the celebration of Jesus’ birth shouldn’t detract us from exhibiting a spirit of “thanksgiving.”  In fact, in my way of looking at things, early Christmas decor should enhance our attitude of gratitude… especially as we acknowledge all that we are and have in Jesus Christ.

However, as we all well know, within a mere week or two, schedules will become filled and pressure will be felt… which means that NOW is the best time to do some pre-season preparation.  {And I’m not talking about gift-purchasing, though that is a great idea, as well.}

In this day and time, must make a determined decision to Keep Christmas about Jesus Christ. Click To Tweet

How and what does this look as we enter into the busiest and most hectic weeks of the year?

The traditions, the shopping, the decorating, the family gatherings, the ministries, the parties, the movies, the music… they are all wonderful and have their rightful places.  But if we don’t prepare our hearts BEFORE we prepare our homes and make our holiday plans, though the calendar may look full, we can find ourselves empty and lonely inside.

It is with humility and hope that I admit that this is work-in-progress for me.  That’s why I am starting NOW to begin to prepare my heart for CHRISTmas, and I want to encourage you to do the same.

Because we can NEVER out-give God, giving Him the first fruits of our days – that time most precious to us in the morning – is an investment in the day ahead.  God knows the paths on which we will walk.  We don’t.

Time spent at the feet of Jesus is never lost or wasted.  When we begin each of the upcoming busy and hectic days with Jesus, we will navigate this Christmas {which is really tHIS CHRISTmas} season with our eyes and ears tuned into the REASON for the season ~ Jesus Christ.  He will fill us and guide us and spill us as we move through this year’s holiday festivities.

It is Life and Health to us – and the secret to staying FULL during a season that {if we’re not careful} will leave us drained on all accounts!!

“Dear friend, listen well to my words;

    tune your ears to my voice.

Keep my message in plain view at all times.

    Concentrate! Learn it by heart!

Those who discover these words live, really live;

    body and soul, they’re bursting with health.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 MSG

Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

Wouldn’t you love to hit the new year FULL and bursting with emotional health instead of feeling drained, disappointed, or discouraged?

Do you want to spend some time with Jesus, but you’re not sure how to do it or where to start?

An intimate fellowship with The Lord, time in His Word, soaking in what He has to say to you and responding to Him as if you are “best friends” is offered to each one of us. We just have to take the time to invest in our relationship with The Lord.

If you’re wondering where you’ll get any extra minutes in your day, let me ask you this: Do you use your snooze alarm? If so… there’s your answer!

My personal philosophy (though it is sometimes a struggle to abide by it) is that if I have time to snooze in the mornings, I could invest those 10 minutes in Jesus and be more rested than if I had slept a few extra minutes.

If you’ll set your alarm back just 10 minutes earlier, and get up when it goes off, you can start your day filled and refreshed – rather than tired and cranky. I promise. We can never out-give God.

If we give Him those precious 10 minutes, we will see just what He gives in return: strength, encouragement, hope, a plan for the day, inspiration, peace… to name a few.

{From my own experience, I trust that soon you’ll find that 10 minutes just isn’t enough, and you’ll see such a “return” on your investment, that you’ll be craving more and more time with Him.}

Need a Jump Start?

No matter how busy the day ahead becomes, or what lies ahead, spending just 10 minutes with the Lord will help start your day with the breath of the Lord God Almighty propelling you forward in His strength, joy, and fellowship!

with Jesus?

James 1:5 promises that if we ask for wisdom, God will grant it to us.  So ask Him, my friends.  Ask the Lord how YOU can begin to prepare your heart for this CHRISTmas season.

One more question:

Do you need a fresh approach to Christmas this year?

Get YOUR copy of the e-book, Keeping Christ AS Christmas (or re-read the one you purchased last year or years ago) and use the simple strategies to prepare your heart, household, and home for PEACE this Christmas Season.

ChristASChristmas.com  $4.99

  • Kindle,
  • Nook, any
  • As an e-reader, or
  • Or, as a PDF.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a Blessed New Year to each of you!

Thanks, Jennifer, for sharing such a great message of hope with us today on the blog! We appreciate you and your message. And, we hope many readers will download and enjoy your Christmas book. They will be blessed!

You can drop by and visit with Jennifer at her blog. Just link over to her site HERE.

Jennifer Walker:

Maybe you can send it to a friend or family member?

~ This blog occasionally uses affiliate links and may contain affiliate links. Melanie Redd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. For more on my disclosure policy, click HERE.

~ I regularly link to these AMAZING SITES~

© Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner are strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Источник: //melanieredd.com/prepare-heart-christmas/

5 Promises to Pray that will Bless Your Children this Christmas – Counting My Blessings

Prayer To Prepare Our Hearts This Christmas

My email inbox overflows every day with advertisers trying to woo me with this years must have gift ideas. Kids of every age have made their list of wants and wishes they hope to find under the tree. I’ll admit I’m beginning to feel a sense of panic as I watch the days until Christmas slip away as my list of to-dos seems to grow. What’s up with that?!

If, me, you need to find your child Christmas enthusiasm again, join me as I go back to God’s Word, to the real Joy of Christmas, to Jesus … the Word made flesh.

Pray these verses for yourself, then pray them with and for your children. Stop. Breathe. May we all use the days ahead to prepare our hearts and minds to receive the gift of Jesus with fresh eyes and an open heart.

Isiah 9:6

For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on His shoulders.
    And He will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Father, thank you for the promise. You knew my overwhelming need and made a plan. A child. A son. A promise. Jesus. You saved Your lost children not with wealth or power but with mercy, grace, and love. With sacrifice. As busyness distracts and stuff entices, Father, keep my heart and mind focused on my Lord and Savior, Jesus … the Prince of Peace. Amen.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, Father, Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. (MSG) 

Jesus, You are completely human and completely God. Please forgive me. It’s easy to take for granted all You have done for me. I so quickly focus on all that’s wrong forgetting what You have done to make them right. You are my Perfect Teacher, my Perfect Friend, my Perfect Example. The Perfect Sacrifice who heals me and makes me whole. Thank you! I love you! Amen.

Luke 2:10–12

The angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 

Father, Angel choirs and heavenly displays we might expect for the birth of Your Son. A poor young woman, animals, mangers, shepherds … not so much. Thank you for lighting the night sky to announce His birth.

Thank you for promising His return. I’m watching and waiting, Lord. Please fill my heart with anticipation and excitement as I think about the awesome future You have prepared for Your children. I love you and trust Your promises.

In Jesus name, Amen.

John 3:16

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 

Father, I believe, help my unbelief. Grow my faith. Help me trust and obey Your will for me. Help me follow Jesus. Please help me love He loves. Strengthen me and give me the courage I need. Fill me with Your Spirit’s power. Thank you for promising me life in and through Jesus. Amen.

1 John 5:11

This is what God told us: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

Father, You give me everything I need today … forgiveness, care, kindness, and love. You provide for me in every way. You give me hope and the promise of a future with You. Jesus said He is preparing a place for me … a home that is wonderful and happy. Jesus is my promise. How can I begin to thank you?  By giving you my all. Amen.

A Gift Idea
Activity Ark

The best thing you and I can give our children and grandchildren is the gift of knowing and loving Jesus. It’s a gift that begins as a tiny planted seed and I know you join me in praying that seed will grow into strong deeply rooted faith.

I recently had the privilege of reviewing a wonderful gift you to plant seeds and help them grow throughout the year.

My seven-year-old grandson (Woo hoo! Today’s his birthday) loved it!

We had fun doing the project together, the book was at his reading level, and the other activities were engaging and faith-inspiring.

This is what the creators of Activity Ark have to say about their ministry.

Every box is developed by our team of creative designers, experts in childhood education and the Bible, and kid testers (who are not shy to give us some really tough feedback!).

Our goal is to inspire kids and create shared experiences for families to enjoy together. We hope you enjoy your Activity Ark adventure as much as our early explorers do!

Click here or on the picture above to learn more.

And don’t forget to check out their blog — it’s loaded with ideas and fun ways to nurture faith in those little ones most precious to you.

Now it’s time for…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

[Tweet “I’m finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith ‘n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun! “]

Deb Wolf
/ / Pinterest

I’m excited to share the following posts with you this week.

@ Journey to Imperfect

Thank you, Valerie, Melissa, Susan, and Leslie for partying with us!

No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.
You know they love it when you stop by and say “hello.”

I would really appreciate it if you would
Grab my Link Party Button above and link back to CMB.

May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship! 

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

and pray over the list left by our friends.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Have you visited the Faith ‘n Friends Link Party Board on Pinterest? It’s a great place to catch up with past posts you may have missed here at the party and/or save them for a future read! If you’d to become a contributor to my Pinterest Group Boards – email me at deb@debwolf.com with a link to your Pinterest home page.

I’m always looking for stories that will encourage and inspire readers to live in faith, stay faithful in hope, and find joy in loving Jesus and others. If you’re interested in sharing your story here at Counting My Blessings –check out my Contributor Guidelines page. 

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thank you and God bless!

Источник: //countingmyblessings.com/5-promises-to-pray-that-will-bless-your-children-this-christmas/

7 Powerful Advent Prayers – Devotions of Peace and Joy – Prayers

Prayer To Prepare Our Hearts This Christmas

The term 'Advent' originates from Latin and means “coming;” as its purpose is to look forward to the coming of Christ to Earth. It has been a season that centers upon waiting gracefully. Therefore, “Advent means something new is coming.

The dawn of a new and better era. This is really what the Christmas season is all about, isn’t it? It’s the celebration of the ADVENT of a new era.

God broke into time and space and entered our world” (Daniel Darling, “What Advent Is and Why We Should Celebrate”).

In prayer, we can access God's world and ask Him to ready our hearts the way He prepared all of history to receive the gift of His Son.

Ask the Father to use this time during Advent to leave behind the distress and make your life a home of warmth and openness.

We've assembled these Advent prayers from throughout our archives to help you ensure there's “room at the inn” of your heart this year!

1. An Advent Prayer for Peace

Lord, in a season when every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life—burdens that steal the joy right our stockings. Tragedy arrives as innocent victims suffer, and an inner voice whispers, “Be afraid!” We need your peace, Jesus.

We confess that our hearts are too often filled with wonder of a different kind: wondering when the bills will be paid, when the terror will stop, when rest will come. Will it ever? Is the message still true? In a world where worry, not peace, prevails, stir up that good news again. This Advent, make it real in our hearts.

Never have we needed Your joy and peace more than now. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh. We not only need Your peace and joy; Lord, we crave it. You’ve promised rest for the weary, victory for the battle-scarred, peace for the anxious, and acceptance for the broken hearted—not just at Advent, but every day of every year.

Your name is still called “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” and “The Prince of Peace.” We know that peace on earth can only come when hearts find peace with You. You are still our Joy. You are still our Peace. You are no longer a babe in the manger. You are Lord of lords and King of kings.

And we still celebrate You as Lord—this Christmas and always.
~Edited from Rebecca Barlow Jordan's “A Prayer for Peace & Joy at Christmas”

2. A Prayer to Prepare Our Heart for Christ’s Coming

Father, just as You sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus, help me to clear the path in my heart, too. Show me the distractions in my life that block me from all-out worship of You this Advent.

Lord, I await Your coming! As I celebrate the first Advent––the first coming––I look toward the day where I will see You face to face. I imagine what it will be . Give me a heart, Lord, that looks for Your coming on a daily basis.

Help me to live my life where I'm constantly seeking Your presence. My offering to You today is my righteous life for I know I am only clean because of Jesus. Show me today how I need to be refined, purified, forgiven.

Give me the strength to ask for forgiveness and to then change my ways.
~Sarah Martin, from “The Awe & Wonder of Advent: Day 18”

3. Advent Prayer of Gratitude for the Birth of Jesus

Father God, we thank You and praise You today for the miracle of Your Son's birth. Thank You for bringing great JOY to the whole world! Thank You for giving us the assurance that because You came to us in the form of a human, we who believe in Jesus can know with absolute certainty that we'll spend eternity with You.

We thank You, Lord, for the many reasons we have been given a merry Christmas. And we rejoice for each blessing. New life. New love. A home. A job. New opportunities. Second chances. And more. We know, Lord, that You bring the sun and the moon and set the stars in motion. You tell the ocean where to stop and the snow when to start. And we thank You for the mighty gift of Your creation.

Thank You, Father, for spiritual leaders and faith-filled friends who keep encouraging us when we are close to giving up. And although we have many reasons to rejoice today, Lord, we also know December 25th can be not-so-merry for a whole host of reasons. We pray for those who are experiencing loss during Advent: relational, financial, spiritual and physical.

We pray for those who are coping with loving a prodigal and our friends and family members whose hearts are far from You. We pray for those dealing with unemployment and addictions and chronic sickness… and unending pain and frustrations of all kinds. Thank You, Lord, that You are The Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace, even in the midst of our not-so-merry circumstances.

Finally, Lord, we ask You to grant us peace. Peace in our homes, peace in our churches, and peace in our hearts, when the world all around us spins out-of-control. Help us to stay focused on You, this Advent season and always. Thank You for loving the whole world enough to send the greatest gift, Your Son, so that we might truly have a very merry Christmas. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

~Steph Raquel, from “A Christmas Prayer for the Merry… and Not-So-Merry , Prov. 31 Ministries

4. An Advent Prayer for The Lord to Come

This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart. Fill me with Your presence from the very start. As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given, Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven. The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever. You came as a baby born in a manger.

Wrapped the gifts I find under my tree, Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me. Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus' birth, When He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth. Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night. And angels announced, “Into your darkness, God brings His Light.

” “Do not be afraid,” they said, to shepherds in the field. Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield. Make me those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call. Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all. Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.

Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise. Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush. In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush. This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart. Invade my soul Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.

Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day. Keep me close to You, Lord. It's in Your wonderful Name I pray.

~Renee Swope, “The Manger of My Heart” from Proverbs 31 Ministries

Источник: //www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/prayers/7-powerful-advent-prayers-devotions-of-peace-and-joy.html

Around the Table :: 8 Christmas Prayers for the Family

Prayer To Prepare Our Hearts This Christmas

As you gather around your tables or snuggle up in front of the fire this Christmas, here are 8 prayers for Christmas to lead you into worship as you and your families reflect on the gift of Jesus.

These prayers are from a variety of sources — some taken straight from Scripture; others written by God-fearing men and women who love Jesus.

My prayer is that these prayers, though written by others, will lead you into deeper communion with God and will help unlock what your heart needs to say to the Lord this season. May these be a starting point in your prayer time and a tool that leads you into deeper honesty, connection, and adoration of our Savior.

From Hughes Oliphant Old

Father,
all wise from everlasting.

We bless you for your Word,the Wordwhich was from the beginning,the Word which has alwaysbeen with you,the Wordwhich shares your divinity,the Word

made flesh, dwelling among us.

Grant that we might behold in him your glory,that in that Wordwe might hear you,that in that Wordwe might speak to you,that in that Word

we might meet you.

To the name of Christ, your incarnate Word,be all glory,as to you, O Father,

and the Holy Spirit be all praise.

One God forever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer for Christmas Morning

The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good will.

Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.

Close the doors of hate and open the doors of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,

And the Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

{Henry Van Dyke}

From Matthew Henry

“We give all honour to you, our great God, that when the fullness of time had come, you sent your Son to be born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those that were condemned by the law. We praise you that the eternal Word was made flesh and tabernacled among us.

… We bless you that Jesus was born of a virgin and came into the world that he might bear witness to the truth. We believe and are sure that he is the Christ, the Holy One of God. Without reservation, we accept the fact that he is the one that had been prophesied as the Coming One.

So we will never look for any other person to save us.”

A Christmas Blessing

God grant you the light of Christmas,which is faith;the warmth of Christmas,which is purity;the righteousness of Christmas,which is justice;the belief in Christmas,which is truth;the all of Christmas,

which is Christ.

{Wilda English,  n.d.}

A Prayer

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,Within my heart, that it may be

A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

My heart for very joy doth leap,My lips no more can silence keep,I too must sing, with joyful tongue,

That sweetest ancient song,

Glory to God in highest heaven,Who unto man His Son hath givenWhile angels sing with pious mirth.

A glad new year to all the earth!

{Martin Luther}

A Blessing at Christmas ::

May you know the Christ of Christmas as…The God who sings over you and with you in joyThe God who rejoices over you and with you in love.The God whose mountains and hills break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of His fields clap their hands

The God who walks beside you, delighting with you as He directs your every step.

May you know this Lord of Love as…The God who compassionately comforts you as a Father in all your troublesThe God who strengthens your inner man by His Spirit that is always with you.The God who is your strength, your refuge, and a very evident and present help.The God who is your shield and protection when you are under attack.

The ever-present God who is eternally your peace.

{Unknown}

A Simple Prayer for Children

Father, we thank Thee for this day.Bless all we do and all we say.May we each enjoy Thy blessings greatAs Jesus’ Birth we celebrate.And may the love that we share hereRemain throughout the coming year.Amen!

{Anonymous}

Love Incarnate

God, you showed us how much you love us by sending Your one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. We look for love everywhere. We wonder if we’ll ever find it, and despair that we will never truly be loved. But, Father, we don’t need to look or wonder or despair because in that dirty stable, you sent Love incarnate.

Through Jesus, You showed us what love is. This is real love. —not that we loved God, but that YOU loved us and sent Your Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. While we were still sinners, detached and disconnected and enemies of You, Christ died for us. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, You proved your love for us.

O God, tether our hearts to Yours! The only reason we can love is because You first loved us. Compel us to walk in love, just as Christ loved us.

{from prayTruth}

If you’d more encouragement in your prayer life, come join us on as we pray together daily and prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Praying with you as we worship our Savior!

Erika // erikadawson.com

Erika Sweeting Dawson is the founder of FaithfulMoms.

org, an online ministry where moms find practical tools and Biblical teaching to grow in their faith and nurture faith in their kids, and the creator of the Faithful Life Planner A graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Erika has been an elementary school teacher, a children’s ministry director, and most recently a writer and speaker. She and her husband have four children and live in the Chicagoland area where they are active in their local church and community.

Источник: //forthefamily.org/christmas-prayers-family/

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