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Praying through Advent

A Scripture Reading from Luke 1:46-50,
46 And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
50 "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.

I cannot read the Messianic prophecies, nor the announcements by angels in Luke and Matthew, and not see that the only response that makes sense is prayer.

I have a confession to make. I have always struggled with prayer. Early on in my walk with Christ, I approached the pastor of the church and asked him, "Why do I struggle so much to pray?" You would think that after 40 years, 37 of them as a Pastor myself, I'd be able to laugh and say that was those days when I was young and not very spiritual. Well, I'm older, and although I can't speak to the very spiritual part, I still struggle with prayer. Are there reasons? Sure...and I'm aware of some of them, but not all, I'm certain. And, does it make any difference? Not really. One of the things I'm most comforted by in knowing God is that my personality, disposition, and even ways of acting and reacting are not foreign to him. He does not look at me, nor us, with a surprised look, as if to say "I didn't know you thought like that", or, "Wow, you shocked me with that response."

I take great comfort in what the psalmist says in Psalms 103:8-14 (NASB)
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

I have been a 25 year reader of Henri Nouwen, a now-home-with-the-Lord Catholic Priest whose writings moved me to a deeper awareness of Christ than most writings did. I have one book entitled "Advent and Christmas", and I read my way through it during the Advent season. I love Nouwen's prayers...they are simple, full of life, and truth, and always make me say "Amen Lord, wished I could have said it that way."

Here's an Advent prayer of Henri Nouwen that beckons us to seek God in quiet ways:

"Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, 'Come Lord Jesus!'”

May we each find a quiet simple place during Advent to pray, "Lord come to me and prepare my heart to hear you every day."

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