ADVENT DEVOTIONAL – 12/5/18

Silence and Centering – 2 MINUTES

Prayer For Presence: “Lord manifest your presence to us, that we would experience your nearness and power.”

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Devotional:

I encourage you to memorize Paul’s prayer.
As you use it to remember others in prayer,
examine how the gospel transforms the tenor
of your relationships.

When we pray for and with others, we exercise
our trust that the One who has begun a good
work among us will bring it to fulfillment. But that
good work cannot be divorced from the profound
communion (koinonia) that God’s grace creates
among us. God’s compassion for us gives us a
deep longing for one another.

And as we hold others in our hearts, they too hold us in theirs.
In prayer, our love overflows. Not just an emotion,
love gives us the knowledge and insight to discern
what each of us uniquely has to offer. Rooted in
one another’s prayers, we can be authentic and
sincere without causing offense. This is how a
harvest of righteousness through Jesus is fulfilled
in our lives.

Space For Reflection:  (Which word or phrase stands out to you. What might God be saying to you?)

Prayer:

Dear God, we bring to you all the people we hold in our
hearts. Let your grace deepen the communion we share,
that our love for one another will overflow with knowledge
and insight. Amen.

The Our Father (slowly pray this)
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen.

2 Minutes – Conclude With Silence