HOPE 1-Dec

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold +ghtly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Give thanks to God for the wonderful hope we have in Christ Jesus.

2-Dec

Psalm 119:114 You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. Pray: All my hope on God is founded, he doth sIll my trust renew. He through change and chance he guideth … he alone calls my heart to be his own STF 455.

PEACE 3-Dec

Romans. 12:18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Pray for those with whom you struggle to live at peace. Peace is a journey taken one step at a Ime Lyndon. B. Johnson

4-Dec

Isaiah 53:5 Upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. When we think that God his Son not sparing, we scarce can take it in ... and yet let us praise God for such love!

5-Dec

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Pray for those you know who are anxious - may they know Christ’s perfect peace

6-Dec

John 14:27 “I leave the giF of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous! Give thanks that in the midst of change, Christ offers us peace

7-Dec

Luke 24:36 Standing among them he said, “Be at peace. I am the living God. Don’t be afraid.” No ma^er what we do, know Christ’s love for us says, ‘Peace, be sIll.’

8-Dec

1 Cor 1:3 May all the giFs and benefits that come from God our Father and Jesus Christ, be yours. Ask God what you may need to give over as you draw closer to God in this season. Remember you don’t need to strive for God’s love and grace.

9-Dec

John 16:33 In this godless world you will con+nue to experience difficul+es. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. If you feel caught in a storm, ask God for strength. If you feel unable to pray, please ask a friend or your minister to pray.

JOY 10-Dec

Psalm 86:4 Restore joy to your loving servant once again, for all I am is yours, O God. Look around you today, look out of a window – count your blessings and thank God that you are loved beyond measure.

11-Dec

Isaiah 55:12 So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, burs+ng with song. Take Ime to noIce trees you can see or imagine – ask God to let them remind you to praise God!

12-Dec

Psalm 16:11 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path … Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way. Ask God to stretch out God’s hand to someone you know who may be struggling today.

13-Dec

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. Ask God to help you be a messenger of the good news of God-with-us in Christ.

14-Dec

Psalm 126:5 Those who plant in tears, will harvest with shouts of joy. Pray today for those overwhelmed with sadness. If this is you, know you are held in prayer.

15-Dec

James 1:2-3 When it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficul+es, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it s+rs up power within you to endure all things. Pray for faith to be sIrred up in you.

16-Dec

Psalm 92:4 You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. How have you been aware of God blessing you this week? Sing for joy and give thanks!

LOVE 17-Dec

Psalm 118:1 Thank God because … his love never quits! Take Ime to absorb God’s love today – remember, ‘If our love were but more simple, we should take him at his word STF 416. May your life be illumined by the presence of God this day.

18-Dec

John 3:16 For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a giF. What does it mean to you to receive Jesus’ love as a gic? Ask God how you might be a gic to someone today – a gic of Ime, of help, of a chat …

19-Dec

Zephaniah 3:17 Don’t be afraid … don’t despair. Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love. Simply remember today that our omnipotent God takes delight in you.

20-Dec

Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlas+ng love. Offer a prayer of graItude for God’s everlasIng love to you.

21-Dec

1 John 3:1 What marvellous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! How might you live today as a child of the King?

22-Dec

Mark. 12:30-31 You are to love the Lord Yahweh, your God, with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, with every thought that is within you, and with all your strength … and you must love your neighbour in the same way you love yourself. Do something today for a neighbour if you can - and pray for them

23-Dec

Psalm 23:6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life. Give thanks that when we stray, in love God sought us; and on his shoulder gently laid, and home rejoicing, brought us STF 479.

24-Dec

Luke 2:11 For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. Imagine … our God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man STF 208 As this incredible fact se^les in your spirit, pray that awe and wonder will fill your heart and mind.

CHRIST 25-Dec

Isaiah 9:6 For a child has been born—for us! The giF of a son—for us! His names will be: Amazing Counsellor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. Which of these a^ributes do you need to know today? Imagine looking at the Christ Child and dare to believe that this baby is all you need and knows your every need.

26-Dec

Phil 4:18-20 And now I have it all—and keep ge_ng more! … You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity … pours from Jesus. Give thanks for where you have seen God’s provision this Christmas.

27-Dec

2 Cor 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. God doesn’t keep a ledger of what God gives us – give thanks that you can never use up God’s quota of mercy and love for you.

HOPE 28-Dec

Micah 7:7 But me, I’m not giving up. I’m s+cking around to see what God will do. I’m wai+ng for God to make things right. I’m coun+ng on God to listen to me. Pray to work in partnership with Christ to see God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

29-Dec

Hebrews 6:19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Where there is a situaIon that feels hopeless, pray God’s hope, to know the anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure STF 645

HOLY SPIRIT

30-Dec

2 Cor 13:14 The amazing grace of Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the in+mate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. Sit with this verse and then picture this blessing for your local church and for our LSW Circuit.

31-Dec

John 14:26 … the Spirit of Holiness, the One like me … will teach you all things in my name. He will inspire you to remember every word that I’ve told you. Pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire you in 2021.

Readings are based on ‘Journey to the Manger’ by Jean McLachlan Hess. Bible passages are from NRSV, NLT, and The Message and The Passion paraphrases.

STF refers to Singing the Faith.

An Advent Prayer Diary

Dec 2020Praying with the Methodist

Churches and communiIes of Leeds South & West Circuit

Whatever this Christmas has in store, many of us will sBll write and rewrite

‘to-do’ lists in the hope that everything will be ready for Christmas Day.

As we journey through Advent, we are invited to include prayer on our ‘to-do’ lists as part of our spiritual planning as we travel towards the miracle of ‘God

with us’ that is Christmas.

As we journey, may God help us to be the people of God who, though we

walk in darkness, will see a great Light, and reflect this in our homes and

communiBes this Christmas.