Advent Devotional Dec 20
Week Four:
Creating Shalom means Making Peace
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
“Speaking to One Who Loves Us” (Hannah, Part 1)” – Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn (my strength) is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance. (vv. 1-2, NIV)
I wish I could have heard Hannah pray this prayer out loud and in person.
Sometimes we think of prayer as something quiet, formal, and lacking energy. What happens in your home or small group when someone asks, “Who would like to pray for us?” Maybe you have an enthusiastic volunteer, or maybe the room gets quiet, and people’s eyes lower to the floor.
Hannah was not shy about lifting up her prayer to God. For many years Hannah carried a burden, a deep longing for a child. And after years of fervent prayer, she had a son. And now, Hannah pours out her joy and gratitude to the God she loves. God is not somewhere far off, unconcerned about her cares. God is present with her, listening, responding, and offering grace.
When we speak to those whom we love and who love us, we can pour out our hearts. That comes because we have a real relationship built on trust. The relationship we have with God is real. The God of the Universe knows us and cares about us. God knows and cares when we rejoice in joyful jubilee and when we pour out our burdens and deepest longings.
Whatever we may need to lift up to God, God will listen, respond, and offer grace.
O Lord, with the Psalmist I pray: “From a sea of troubles I cry out to you, Lord. Won’t you please listen as I beg for mercy? If you kept a record of our sins, no one could last long. But you forgive us, and so we will worship you. With all my heart, I am waiting, Lord, for you! I trust your promises. I wait for you.” Amen. (Psalm 130:1-6, CEV)
Rev. Wendi Neal
Senior Associate Pastor, McFarlin United Methodist Church, Norman, OK
“Speaking to One Who Loves Us” (Hannah, Part 1)” – Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn (my strength) is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance. (vv. 1-2, NIV)
I wish I could have heard Hannah pray this prayer out loud and in person.
Sometimes we think of prayer as something quiet, formal, and lacking energy. What happens in your home or small group when someone asks, “Who would like to pray for us?” Maybe you have an enthusiastic volunteer, or maybe the room gets quiet, and people’s eyes lower to the floor.
Hannah was not shy about lifting up her prayer to God. For many years Hannah carried a burden, a deep longing for a child. And after years of fervent prayer, she had a son. And now, Hannah pours out her joy and gratitude to the God she loves. God is not somewhere far off, unconcerned about her cares. God is present with her, listening, responding, and offering grace.
When we speak to those whom we love and who love us, we can pour out our hearts. That comes because we have a real relationship built on trust. The relationship we have with God is real. The God of the Universe knows us and cares about us. God knows and cares when we rejoice in joyful jubilee and when we pour out our burdens and deepest longings.
Whatever we may need to lift up to God, God will listen, respond, and offer grace.
O Lord, with the Psalmist I pray: “From a sea of troubles I cry out to you, Lord. Won’t you please listen as I beg for mercy? If you kept a record of our sins, no one could last long. But you forgive us, and so we will worship you. With all my heart, I am waiting, Lord, for you! I trust your promises. I wait for you.” Amen. (Psalm 130:1-6, CEV)
Rev. Wendi Neal
Senior Associate Pastor, McFarlin United Methodist Church, Norman, OK
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