During this season full of movement and tasks, it may seem that a prayer is not a proper activity. Perhaps it’s even frustrating to pull out today’s Advent card and see that the activity is to pray. “I don’t have time for that” you may think. This sentiment of busyness shows how far we’ve come from a heart of rest and worship, and how much our Christmas season has been influenced by the culture in which we’ve grown up.
What God Has Given Us
“In the first chapter of Luke, Elizabeth says, ‘Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished’ (NIV). Elizabeth is saying to Mary-and to us-‘if you really believe what the angel told you about this baby, if you take it in, you’ll be blessed.’
But our English word “blessed” is so limp and lightweight. In English we use blessed to mean something like ‘inspired.’ But in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, the word for blessed meant something much deeper than that. To be blessed brings you back to full shalom, full human functioning; it makes you everything God meant for you to be. To be blessed is to be strengthened and repaired in every one of your human capacities, to be utterly transformed.”
– Tim Keller, “The Gifts of Christmas”
God has given us so much more than we see or even dare consider. Even if you don’t see God’s blessings or feel blessed, this is God’s heart for you, who gave you his son and who you’re praying to today..
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!