With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invitation Prayer
If you have an advent wreath, light all four candles and pray:
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The light no darkness can overcome.
O Love Incarnate, draw near to me this hour and throughout the day. Teach me to love as you love – fully, sacrificially, and with great joy. Amen.
Word: Matthew 1:24-25
“Joseph awoke from his sleep. He did what the angel of the Lord told him to do. He took Mary as his wife. But he did not have her, as a husband has a wife, until she gave birth to a Son. Joseph gave Him the name Jesus.”
Meditation
Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Name all other names above.
Unto which must every knee
Bow in deep humility.
Jesus! Name of priceless worth
To the fallen of the earth
For the promise that it gave,
“Jesus shall his people save!”
Jesus! Name of mercy mild,
Given to the holy Child
When the cup of human woe
First he tasted here below
Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Human name of God above;
Pleading only this, we flee
Helpless, O our God, to Thee.
Prayer for the World
– For my city, state, and country.
– For leaders: mayor, governor, president, congress.
– For those who serve the public: police officers, firefighters, teachers, first responders, medical personnel.
– For the nations of the world, for world leaders.
– For good government, good schools, good business.
– For justice, especially for the oppressed: minorities, immigrants and refugees, orphans, widows, the very young or unborn, the aged.
– For creation: for the care of land, air, wildlife, and sea.
Closing Prayer
Jesus, you were born to save your people and set them free from bondage to sin. Send us by your Holy Spirit that we may carry this message of salvation to every corner of the world. Amen.