A Prayer about Finding Freedom in the Long-Expected Jesus

by | Dec 16, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Finding Freedom in the Long-Expected Jesus

What freedom do you find in Christ?

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. Romans 6:22

Lord Jesus,

This morning we are meditating 

on the good news about you—

our “long-expected Jesus,”

as Charles Wesley wrote about 

in one of my favorite Advent hymns.

Indeed, Jesus, you were “born to set thy people free.”

Thank you for freeing us from…

[name some of the things Jesus has set you free from…].

Thank you for releasing us from our fears and sins 

[name some of the fears and sins he has released you from…].

Thank you for being our strength in weakness 

[name some of your weaknesses].

Thank you for being our consolation when we are sorrowful 

[name some of your sorrows…].

Most of all, thank you 

for letting us “find [our] rest in thee.” 

Amen.

Read Isaiah 61:1-2; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Romans 6:22.

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.

A Prayer about Making Room for Jesus

by | Dec 15, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Making Room for Jesus

Can you make room for Jesus?

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Lord Jesus,

Sometimes I think the innkeeper has gotten a bad rap 

in all of our Christmas programs 

for not making room for the baby Jesus. 

After all, if he had known 

the Messiah would be born in his inn, 

wouldn’t he have found him a room?

As we consider his story and the busy days of the Christmas season, 

we pray that we will see who you really are—

the Messiah, the King of Kings, 

who humbled yourself to take on humanity, 

who submitted to being born in a stable 

and laid in a feeding trough.

I pray that we will make room for you 

in our noisy hearts. 

Still us and silence us 

that we might hear your kind invitation 

into the space of forgiveness, 

into the deepest, truest love 

we have ever known. 

By your Spirit, move us toward you, 

the one who came to live among us 

that we might live forever with you. 

In your hospitable name.

Amen.

Read Luke 2:1-7; Psalm 46:10.

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.

A Prayer about the Lord’s Majesty, Might, and Mercy

by | Dec 13, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Lord’s Majesty, Might, and Mercy

Will you join me in magnifying the Lord?

And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.’ Luke 1:46-47

Majestic Lord,

On this third Sunday in Advent, 

we join with Mary in magnifying you, 

in proclaiming your greatness.

Indeed, you are mighty, 

and you have done great things for us, 

and your name is holy (Luke 1:49).

Your mercy is for us who fear you; 

your mercy continues through the generations 

to all who live in awe of you (Luke 1:50).

You have “shown strength with your arm, 

“scattering the proud 

and bringing down the mighty 

from their thrones” (Luke 1: 52).

You have filled “the hungry with good things” 

and sent those who think they are rich away, empty, 

because they refused to name their need for you (Luke 1:52-53).

You have helped your servant Israel 

and your servant [insert your name], 

not because of anything we’ve done, 

but because you remembered your mercy (Luke 1:54).

You have spoken your covenant, 

your unfailing promise, of redemption, 

and what you speak comes to pass (Luke 1:55).

May we meditate on these truths today and every day. 

In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. 

Read Luke 1:46-55. 

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.

A Prayer about “God-with-us”

by | Dec 12, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about “God-with-us”

What does it mean that the Lord is with us?

Greetings, O favored one. The Lord is with you! Luke 1:28

Lord God,

Around this time every year, 

many of us need to remember Gabriel’s assurance to Mary: 

“The Lord is with you!” 

You are with us, and in Christ, 

you are in us. 

You are with us 

when we are afraid.

[Name some things you are afraid of right now…

being alone,

not getting the right gifts for your family, 

that your children will abandon their faith?]

You are with us 

when we find our rest in other things.

[Name some other places you seek 

security, significance, or a sense of calm].

You are with us 

when we try to earn our favor—

with you or with others.

[Name some ways 

you are seeking either God’s approval 

or others’ by performing].

Thank you, Lord, 

that you sent Jesus, 

Immanuel, “God-with-us,” 

that we might never walk alone. 

Amen. 

Read Luke 1:28; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 145:18-19; Isaiah 41:10; Romans 8:38-39.

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.

A Prayer about the Wonder of Jesus’ Incarnation

by | Dec 11, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Wonder of Jesus’ Incarnation

Have you ever thought about what it means for us that Jesus had a body?

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…John 1:14

Lord Jesus,

As we celebrate your incarnation, 

which literally means “enfleshing,”

may we not miss the wonder 

that you became a human body. 

May we see the beauty of the bodies 

our Creator God formed for each of us to inhabit, 

and may we thank God for this precious gift. 

May we see how the fall broke our bodies, 

making us know shame 

in our minds, spirits, and bodies (Genesis 3:1-8).

May we marvel at the truth 

you “took on a human body 

to reclaim us bodily 

for fellowship with God the Father”*

and because you did, 

“our bodies once again become 

what they were meant to be.”*

In union with you, 

our bodies share in your holiness 

as we become the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). 

In union with you, 

we “share in God’s hidden glory 

and display it [in our bodies] by word and deed 

to the world.” * 

Throughout this season, 

every time we think of the incarnation, 

may we rejoice in the hope 

of the full redemption of our bodies 

we will experience when you return (Romans 8:23).

Amen. 

Read John 1:14-18; Genesis 3:1-8; Romans 8:23. 

*Quotes from John W. Kleinig, Fearfully Made: A Protestant Theology of the Body

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.

A Prayer about Relief from Life’s Crushing Load

by | Dec 10, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Relief from Life’s Crushing Load

Do you need relief from life’s crushing load?

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14

Heavenly Father, 

We cannot help but notice the stark contrasts 

in the story of the first Christmas. 

Into a dark and silent world, 

you sent angels to speak hope. 

Often when they came, 

the first response was fear: 

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, 

and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 

and they were filled with fear” (Luke 2:9). 

Your people lived in a world of strife. 

The words of “It Came upon a Midnight Clear” 

described life then and life now:

“And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,

whose forms are bending low,

who toil along the climbing way

with painful steps and slow….”

And yet, in the midst of 

sorrow 

and suffering 

and silence, 

you sent these wild and fearsome angels 

to announce the arrival of joy and peace:

“Fear not, for behold, 

I bring you good news 

of great joy 

that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10).

What was this good news?

A Savior is born!

He is the King 

who will bring an end 

to the bitter strife 

among humankind (See Ephesians 2:14).

Wherever this season finds us, 

may we listen for the good news:

For he has come and brought peace, 

and we await the day 

when he will come again, 

and all hostility will cease. 

In that day, 

there will be no more cause for crying, 

no more “crushing loads.” 

We will sing in a choir 

composed of people 

from every nation, tribe, and tongue, 

“Glory to God in the highest!”

Come now, Lord Jesus!

Amen.

Read Luke 2:8-14.

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.