As we celebrate the advent of Jesus, coming from the Father to dwell among us, it will not be like last year. These days there is much uncertainty, sorrow and hardship. We need to pray.
This post will give you some prayer ideas for Advent.
Zechariah (Lk 1:5-25)
While serving in the temple an angel appears to Zechariah and announces that his barren wife will give birth to a son (John the Baptizer), who will make the people ready for the coming of the Lord. Zechariah responds, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
Zechariah has some real doubts about this news. He is struggling to believe, to trust and to hope. Many of us can identify.
Pray that:
- God would help us in our unbelief
- God would open our eyes to see the good He will do
Mary (Lk 1:26-38)
Mary likewise receives a visit from an angel, who announces that she will give birth to the Son of the Most High. This will not be a natural pregnancy but a miraculous conception! It is not that Mary doesn’t have questions, she does, but her final words to the angel are: “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.”
Mary chooses to trust God, even when she does not have all the answers. Her example calls us to a better response.
Pray that:
- God would renew our faith
- God would show us our next step of obedience
Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-45)
Mary visits her relative Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah; she is now pregnant! Upon Mary’s arrival, Elizabeth’s baby moves within her. Among other things, Elizabeth exclaims, “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”
Pray that:
- God will fill us with joy and peace
- the Holy Spirit would cause us to overflow with hope
The Shepherds (Lk 2:8-20)
On the night of Jesus’ birth, there were shepherds nearby tending their flocks. An angel of the Lord brought to them the good news that a Saviour, Christ the Lord, had been born in Bethlehem. This announcement was underscored by the sudden appearance of a whole company of angels. When they had left, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Pray that:
- God would give us clarity to see what he is doing in our world
- God would give us the courage to act as his agents of Good News
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