A Prayer about Christ’s Humanity and Ours

by | Dec 27, 2021 | Christmas, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Christ’s Humanity and Ours

Holy God,

I love how creeds and confessions

help us see new things about our faith. 

The Belgic Confession, 

in confessing the truth of the incarnation 

reminds us that both the body and the soul 

are essential to our humanity:
“And he not only assumed human nature 

  as far as the body is concerned 

  but also a real human soul, 

  in order that he might be a real human being. 

For since the soul had been lost as well as the body, 

  he had to assume them both to save them both together.”*

Thank you, Lord, 

for sending Christ in the flesh, 

to remind us that our bodies 

belong to you and are beloved by you.

Thank you, Lord, for making Christ 

a real human being, 

and yet without sin.

who, though without sin, 

can fully sympathize with our weaknesses, 

in heart, soul, mind, and body.

Being sinless, he was the perfect sacrifice

for our sins, 

and died

that we might live eternally 

with and for you.

In gratitude for the greatest gift of Christmas, 

may we glorify you with all of our being.

In Christ’s fully human, fully divine name. Amen.

Read Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 22:37.

*(From Belgic Confession of Faith for Advent and Christmas).

A Prayer about “Happy Holidays”

by | Nov 30, 2021 | Advent, Christmas, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about “Happy Holidays”

Joyful Lord,

It’s already happening. 

I feel my inner Grinch creeping, 

ready to make a sneak attack 

on the poor unsuspecting checkout folks 

who cheerfully call out, “Happy Holidays” 

after I’ve just bought Christmas ornaments. 

Lord, I know they’ve been told what to say. 

Lord, I know that Christmas 

has become commercialized. 

And yet, these stores will still play songs like,

“Joy to the World, the Lord is come, 

let earth receive her King,” 

and “Hark, the herald angels sing, 

‘Glory to the newborn King.’”

 So rather than getting all grinchy 

when someone tells me, “Happy Holidays,” 

help me to joyfully respond, “Thank you,” 

or even, “Joy to the world!” 

Help me to see that even the “secularization” of Christmas

offers prime opportunities 

to share the true reason for our joy — 

we have a great King, 

and that King has come, 

in the form of a baby human! 

It’s game-changing news, 

but many don’t know it. 

May we seek this season 

to share this news 

in the best way we know how, 

by living and loving 

in the fullness of our Savior’s joy!

Amen.

Read Psalm 98; Luke 2:8-20.

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A Prayer about How Christ’s Birth Disrupts Us

by | Nov 29, 2021 | Advent, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about How Christ’s Birth Disrupts Us

Wondrous God, 

Even though this verse isn’t usually 

the subject of memes or cross-stitched wall-art, 

we need to ponder it.

It reminds us of just how disruptive 

the birth of Christ really was, 

how Christ in fact came 

to disrupt any self-made shalom, 

any peace we’ve gained on our own terms, 

any security and significance 

that doesn’t come from you. 

We can imagine how confused 

Mary must have been, 

how disruptive the news 

of her imminent pregnancy was to her.

After all, what would Joseph, 

her betrothed say?

And yet, she doesn’t quarrel 

with the angel Gabriel. 

Instead, she wonders, “How can this be?”

Lord, in this season of Advent, 

draw us to wonder 

about the disruptive grace 

of Jesus Christ. 

Make us sit and rest and ponder 

the enormity of this question, 

“How can this be….” 

In Christ’s wonderfully disruptive name. Amen.

Read Luke 1:26-38.

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A Prayer about Undeserved Grace

by | Nov 28, 2021 | Advent, Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Undeserved Grace

Wondrous God,

As advent, the season of celebrating the wait for Christ to come, 

begins today, 

open our eyes to see the hope-full truth:

Grace is all about you! In Greek, 

the word for “favored” is “graced,” 

so Gabriel is really telling Mary, 

“Greetings, O graced one, the Lord is with you!” 

What make us “graced”? 

We are “graced” with your presence. 

In this season leading up to Christmas, 

may we exchange time stocking up on presents 

and for moments soaking up your presence. 

For indeed, that is the true meaning of Christmas—

you sent your Son to earth, 

fully God, fully human, 

a baby to be carried in the womb of Mary, 

the graced one. 

We didn’t deserve the present of your presence, 

but you were determined to give it! 

May we take time this season to rest 

in your life-giving, undeserved grace. 

In the name of our gracious Savior. Amen.

Read Luke 1:28; Ephesians 2:4-10. 

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A Prayer about Learning to Aim Low

by | Nov 27, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living

A Prayer about Learning to Aim Low

Lord Jesus,

Everything in our western society tells us to “aim high,” 

but as we learn to revere you, 

we see how low we truly must aim in order to be like you:

You “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, 

but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

You don’t look to your own interests 

but to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4). 

And even though you were “in the form of God,” 

you “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” 

but “emptied [yourself], taking the form of a servant, 

being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7).

Not only that, you “humbled [yourself] 

by becoming obedient to the point of death, 

even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). 

And now, you are “highly exalted,” 

and one day every knee will bow before you (Philippians 2:10).

Lord Jesus, as we marvel over your humility and sacrifice for us, 

we become more like you. 

Fill our minds and our hearts today 

with awe at your remarkable submission, 

that we may “go low” 

and spend our lives 

“submitting to one another 

out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).  

In your awe-some name. Amen.

Read Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:1-11. 

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!