A Prayer of Faith, Advent Week 2
Jesus, this week as we focus on faith, we believe you will hear our prayer. You are the Pioneer and Perfector of our faith, and may we remember that our faith is birthed in a heart that responds to your divine presence in our lives.
As we respond, we sing praise to you with the words of a Christmas hymn: “O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant” and we believe that you came to this earth “in flesh appearing.” “O, come let us adore you, Christ, the Lord!”
May we remember that not only do we need to put our faith and trust in you, but also that you have faith in us. You faithfully believe that we can share your love with those in need of bread and water, with those in need of clothing, with those in need of shelter, with those in need of companionship, and with those in need of salvation.
You also faithfully believe that we can live out our instruction to go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything you have commanded. And surely you are with us always, to the very end of the age.
Jesus, may we remember that when our faith seems small, through you we can do amazing things. May we have the confidence through you to share our faith with others in our lives, and why we believe the true meaning of Christmas - how your birth was the incarnation of your Father and centuries before you came to this earth, it was prophesied that a virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
May we feel our faith that your Word is true and that you are with us, this Christmas season, right now, this moment, we pray. May we live out our faith by being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Thank you for the gift of grace and our salvation through our faith in you and for blessing us abundantly.
Over two thousand years ago, you were born, an infant, to ordinary teenagers, on an ordinary night, unbeknownst to almost the entire world, and we have the honor and blessing to faithfully worship you this Christmas season and always. What a gift it is to have faith in you, Jesus, who dwells in our hearts as we are being rooted and grounded in love.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
(Bible passages referenced: Hebrews 12:2, Romans 10:17, Matthew 25:35-36, Matthew 28:19-20, Isaiah 7:14, Hebrews 11:1, Ephesians 2:8 and 3:17)
Prayer by Beth Hildebrand
