A Prayer for Busy Festive Days

If you’re anything like me, in this busy season of ministry, I can get so caught up in the “doing”, I scarcely take time to pause. I can end up spending all the time talking about the awe and wonder of that first Christmas, and not truly basking in it myself.

So today, no especially deep thoughts, but an invitation to join me in prayer. Won't you join me as we approach with wonder and worship, and ask the Lord to be at work in us, as well as through us, in this busy season.

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Everlasting Father,

Father of our Lord Jesus, whose birth we are proclaiming through these busy festive days, we draw near now.

We exhale from the rush of this ministry season to sit in your presence.

We still in reverence and awe at your works.

We breathe in deep the truths of your love, shown in the gift of your Son to this sin-marred world, for sinners like us.

Protect us from overfamiliarity with the wonderous story, that it ceases to move us as we share it with others. Startle us in awe and wonder, even as we draw others close to marvel at the incarnated Saviour, and the hope offered to all in his life, death, resurrection and return.

As this season of ministry progresses, it is easy to find ourselves feeling poured out. Yet, we trust in your character and promises as you supply our every need, at every turn.

We are not the source of the message but simply the hands, feet and mouthpieces through which your Spirit works to flow out the gospel to those who need the truth of it.

But we are also more than that: We are your beloved children in whom you delight to do your work, too, and who need the truths proclaimed this season as much as anyone.

So, Spirit, we ask that you pour into our hearts as we pour out. Satisfy us as we share with others.

Pour in your comfort, even as we comfort others.

Pour in your peace, even as we enter the strife.

Pour in your love, even as we move towards those who feel lonely and unseen.

Pour in your forgiveness, even as we seek to minister with grace.

Pour in your joy, even as we declare the joy of that first Christmas to those who need it.

Let our every act of service be done in your strength, not our own; your wisdom, not our own; for your name, not our own.

We thank you that you are an abundant and generous Father, who gives more than we can imagine and delights in giving good gifts to his children.

May our every service be done as an overflow of thankfulness and worship for all you have first given us.

We thank and praise you most of all for the gift of salvation through your Son, our Lord Jesus.

May our hearts never cease from overflowing in praise of him this Christmas, and all the days of our life.

It is in his name, we pray.

Amen

Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year from all of us at Living Leadership Ministries