A Prayer about Seeing the Light

by | Dec 1, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Seeing the Light

Have you seen the bright light?

The people walking in the darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Light of the World,

I remember working at the Young Life Christmas tree lot 

singing noisily along 

with John Denver and the Muppets Christmas album, 

huddling with my friends over a trash barrel fire, 

selling trees to happy and unhappy families alike. 

Then I’d come home to a dark and empty house, 

turn on the lights of our tree, 

and sit quietly, marveling at their twinkling glory. 

I truly was a young woman 

walking in darkness 

who had seen a great light. 

Tim Keller tells us that in the days Christ appeared, 

the world was “filled with evil and untold suffering….

violence, injustice, abuse of power, 

homelessness, refugees fleeing oppression, 

families ripped apart, bottomless grief.” 

As he says, “Sounds exactly like today.”* 

Lord, in this season of Advent, 

may we see the darkness of this world for what it is, 

and may we see your great light, 

your light which has overcome the darkness, 

the light which is the life of all mankind. 

And may we share this light 

with all who live and walk in deep shadows.

In the name of your light-shining Son. Amen.

Read Isaiah 9:2; John 1:4-10; Matthew 4:16.

[Quote from Tim Keller’s Hidden Christmas.]

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

A Prayer about How Christmas Disturbs Our Self-Made Shalom:

by | Nov 30, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about How Christmas Disturbs Our Self-Made Shalom:

Does Christmas disrupt you?

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:29

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.

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

A Prayer about Undeserved Grace

by | Nov 29, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Undeserved Grace

How do we thank God for his undeserved grace?

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

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 makes us “graced”? 

We are “graced” with your presence. 

In this season leading up to Christmas, 

may we exchange time stocking up on presents 

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. 

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

A Prayer about the Perfect Marriage Awaiting Us

by | Nov 28, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about the Perfect Marriage Awaiting Us

Do you look forward to the best wedding day ever?

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2

Lord Jesus,

As we anticipate the full intimacy 

we will know with you and the Father and the Spirit

 in the day of the new heavens and the new earth, 

we pray for marriages. 

You created marriage to provide 

a tiny glimpse 

into the intimacy you have designed us for. 

In this fallen world, marriage, 

even between two redeemed sinners, 

cannot fully image that oneness you intended. 

And yet, one day, you promise 

that every single person will “dwell with you forever,” 

and “see you face to face” (Revelation 21: 4; 22:4). 

In that day, there will be no need for marriage, 

because the intimacy you designed us for will be perfect. 

Until that day comes, 

bless those who are married 

with a love that relates without shame or contempt. 

Until that day comes, 

bless those who are single and long to be married 

with community that gives them 

a foretaste of the intimacy 

they will one day know eternally. 

In your perfectly loving name we pray. Amen. 

Read Revelation 21:1-5.

A Prayer about Walking in God’s Way

by | Nov 27, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Walking in God’s Way

Do you want rest for your soul?

Thus says the Lord: stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Jeremiah 6:16

Merciful Lord,

What a frightening passage. 

These are your very own people 

who are refusing to walk in the way 

you have shown them, 

the way that will bring rest for their souls. 

These words, “everyone is greedy for unjust gain…

everyone deals falsely” 

describe your chosen people (Jeremiah 6:13). 

They were “not at all ashamed” 

when they followed other pagan gods; 

“they did not know how to blush” (Jeremiah 6:14-15). 

When you called to them, 

‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’, 

they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’ (Jeremiah 6:17). 

Gracious Lord, as we, your redeemed people 

read these words describing your people long ago, 

may we examine our own hearts, 

searching for rebellious spirits, 

deaf ears, 

greedy hearts, 

deceptive minds. 

As we see our own sin, 

may we boldly approach your throne of grace, 

where you have promised 

we will receive mercy and help 

in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). 

In the name of Jesus Christ, our advocate, 

we pray. Amen.

Read Jeremiah 6:13-17.

A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

by | Nov 26, 2025 | Daily Prayer

A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

What are you giving thanks for today?

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Gracious Lord,

For some of us, 

today’s circumstances may include

maple-smoked turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, 

apple-crumb pie, and other rich and luscious fare. 

For others, it might look like a frozen turkey pot pie 

eaten in front of the TV. 

Whatever our circumstances 

on Thanksgiving Day in America, 

may we continue to rejoice and to pray, 

to give thanks, 

because it is your will for us in Christ Jesus. 

May we remember that the apostle Paul, 

who first penned these words, 

wasn’t sitting on silky sand 

drinking a Pina colada when he wrote them. 

He had suffered imprisonments, 

shipwreck, beatings, and betrayal, 

among other miseries. 

And yet, in such difficult circumstances, 

he discovered your kindness to him 

in the midst of suffering. 

He thanked you in the midst of grief 

because he saw you multiplying the good news 

in the hearts of many. 

Today, whatever food is on our table, 

whoever does or does not sit around it, 

may we see you multiplying beauty and hope 

and give you thanks 

for all of your gifts to us in Christ.

In the name of our Redeemer, Jesus. Amen.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.