Dear Lord,

I thank you with all my heart for this wonderful gift of life and thank you for making us aware of the beauty you have created in this world.  I truly am in awe of all the marvelous things you have done.  I am filled with joy because of you and I will sing praises to your name today and every day!

I pray that you will be with the person reading this post today.  Help them to be authentically the person that you created them to be.  Help them to have clarity on what it is you are calling them to do with this day and with their life.  Give them the confidence to take the actions you call them to take and to step into the roles you have placed before them. And no matter what place you have them in this day, help them to know they are there for a reason and help them to see their purpose, even if it is a simple as giving someone a smile or holding the door for another.   Help each and every one of us learn from where we are today and help us to grow into a better person as a result of the experience.  

Lord, bless our families this Christmas.  Whether we are together or apart, help us to feel the love that connects us and help us to express that love in a kind and gentle manner.  Help us to let go of the need to be hurried and hassled and instead simply be present and enjoy one another’s presence.  Help us to lay down all the distractions that prevent us from paying attention to the person in front of us, and to see them for the amazing person they are and help them to see that too. Prevent the lies of this world from hiding their unique beauty and their special gifts from them. 

Lord, be with those who are struggling with loss, grief, anxiety, or sadness of any kind.  Help them to feel your presence in a way they never have and to know that you are always there for them.  Help them to let go of the pain and to reach out to you and your Word for comfort.  Help their loved ones, neighbors, or even strangers see their need and help them to show kindness and your love in a meaningful way.

Help those who may not know you or have fallen away to see you through the lens of the beauty of this Season.  Help them to be drawn to you and your truth.  Help them to see through the misinformation that keeps them from communion with others who love you.  Lord,  help them to be drawn into the fold of other believers who can help them see through the clutter and untruths.  Help them to see that a relationship with you is all about freedom instead of restrictions.  It’s about embracing life and living it fully instead of hiding behind shame and fear.  

Embolden those who love you to share their story and have the courage to share their faith so others may experience your love, mercy, and grace. Help us all to trust you and to know that you can create good from every situation and that we have no reason to doubt you. 

Give us the hope in the Christ child knowing that he is our savior and will come again to wipe away every tear and take us home when our time has come.  Also, Lord, we pray that you will give us courageous faith to share the hope we have with those who enter into our lives.  Help us to trust the thoughts you give us and know that the words will come in exactly the right time and in exactly the correct way.  

As the new year approaches, Lord, help us to look back at the joys we experienced this past year and give thanks for everything; good and bad.  Help us to eagerly await the abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that are waiting for us in the upcoming year if we are willing to surrender our lives to you.

All thanks and praise to you O Lord.  Amen.