O, Give Thanks!

Thank you Lord for the call during this Advent season to make all things new. Help us to make room for our own nativity, even where there is no room at our own inns. Grant us peace when we are busy but not blessed. Exchange our sorrows for joy and any bitterness for love. If we are lost and cannot find our way, put salvation under the tree. Let this season be a time of hope in spite of wars and rumors of wars, negative prognosis and ill will; let heaven and nature sing, joy to the world, Amen.

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Unconditional Love

Thanksgiving for God’s Love

O, Lord our God, how excellent is Your name in All the Earth!
We pause at this time in the Season of Advent with over flowing grateful hearts
And say, “Thank you, Lord!”
Thank You for Your unconditional love gift of Jesus, the Christ!
Thank You for loving us before we loved ourselves;
Thank You for sending Jesus that we might live through Him.
Thank You God for showing us that true love is patient,
And thank You for teaching us the endurance of true love!
Thank you God, for loving us through our sins
And providing us a way back to You and Your love.
Thank You for Christ’s unspeakable gift of eternal life!
We are truly grateful, Lord, in Jesus Name. Amen.
1 John 4:7a, 9-10

Bishop Sarah F. Davis
16th Episcopal District
AME Church

Double Exposure

"Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them-- they are counted among the blessed in the land-- he does not give them over to desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness."

Heavenly Father,

As the seasons are changing, we see many of our brothers and sisters on the streets exposed to the elements-- Lord be their shelter when they have none; be their provider when others fail-- be their resource, giving them everything they may need. Let them not be forgotten on today.

Lord, touch the hearts of those who may come across those who are less fortunate then themselves this season and allow them to show themselves friendly. Make ways for those who need you to be able to find strength in you. Proctect them dear Lord from sucumbing to trials and times of trouble.

Deliver us; Equip us; Empower us; Rebuild us; Help us being a blessing to others in this season and have kinder regard for those who can not do for themselves.

And God, bless those who are sick on today-- sick with pneumonia, sick with colds and influenza, sick with diabetes, cancer, and other illness that have riddled our bodies. Bless those who are ill and restore their bodies even now. We lift up our loved ones who need you to be a healer on today. Restore them; Heal them and keep them.

In your name we ask all these things, Amen.

Jasmine Saint Jean

Empowerment Temple AMEC

The Joy of Giving

"The wicked borrow, and do not pay back, but the righteous are generous and keep giving." Psalm 37:21

Lord, our soon coming King, you have given us the gift of eternal life through your son Jesus Christ. Now, may the spirit of generosity overcome us and lead us to give our all today. Empower us to speak your word into the lives of those around us; to give wise counsel when asked; to give a kind word and comfort to those who are suffering; to give of our time to causes that need our input and influence; to give our love without seeking reciprocity and to give our treasure to undergird your work. Help us to give unselfishly and grow beyond self-serving lifestyles.

In Jesus name, increase our eagerness to give ourselves to you! Amen.

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ADVENT

The season of seeking is an excellent time to increase your Bible reading time in spiritual preparation for the birth of Christ and His coming back again. On the left side of this blog is a section that contains Scripture readings for all four weeks of the season of Advent. Turn aside from your regular activities to read a verse daily or once a week. Pray that God will open your mind and heart to the truth and power of the Word.

For more information about the season of Advent, scroll down to an explanation on this prayer blog.

Following the Leader

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God:

Grant us the desire to do only what pleases you,

and the strength to do only what you command.

Cleanse our souls,

enlighten our minds.

and inflame our hearts with your Holy Spirit,

that we may follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son,

Jesus Christ. Amen.

St Francis of Assisi

Required Response

"What does the Lord require of you?"

Micah 6:8

The demands upon our time and tempers keep us distracted from doing what you require. Empower us, Lord God of all, to do what is required of us - to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before you.

As we seek mercy for ourselves, help us to extend mercy to each other. As we seek justice for ourselves, help us to seek justice for those who cannot help themselves. As we stand boldly before our adversaries, we strive to walk in humble obedience to your will.

In Jesus name, help us to fulfill all that is required of us this day and all the days of our lives. Amen.

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Spiritual Vigilance

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”

Romans 13:11

Amazing God, thank you for this season, this moment to draw closer to a love that gave the ultimate sacrificial gift so that we can enjoy by faith through grace eternal life. Thank you for this season where we can stir up the gifts that is within us to apply them according to your will. Thank you for these days where we can shake off a lethargic faith that has been lulled to sleep by disappointments.

We know what we do matters to you, O Lord, and to those we life and work with. Therefore, in Jesus name help us to keep a spiritual vigilance over our words and deeds as we are no longer children of the darkness but children of light. Amen.

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