One of the magnificent gifts of the Christmas season is hope.  Here is a prayer of Christmas hope for all of us who need to be refilled with a belief that our lives are going in a good and meaningful direction despite our challenges and circumstances.

Christmas Prayer of Hope

Christmas decor and party 017Father, we thank you that you created us with the ability to hope.  As Christmas nears we once again stop to remember how the world anticipated the birth of our Savior.  Like that long ago event that people awaited with longing there are many things that have not yet arrived in our lives that we have been longing for and praying about for such a long time.  Help us to believe that you are at work, that a new birth will take place, that a new era in our lives will soon begin.  Thank you that our hope is not simply wishful thinking but rather our hope is based on our confidence that you are with us and that you care.  We believe that you can tell us how to live productive meaningful lives as we wait and we believe that no matter how long we need to wait, your help and strength will never run out.   And now we claim and meditate on this wonderful promise of hope from the Bible:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV version

And we cling to this verse from the Christmas carol “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.”

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With Painful step and slow,

Look up! For glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing.

Oh, rest beside the weary road

And hear the angels sing.

Amen.

Stop along the weary road and hear the angels sing

Picture and text copyright Karen Barber 2011 all rights reserved

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