Advent, Day Three

Advent, Day Three
Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our lives are in danger. Somewhat we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, without distance closeness cannot cure. Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our actions quickly become empty gestures. The careful balance between silence and words, withdrawal and involvement, distance and closeness, solitude and community forms the basis of the Christian life and should therefore be the subjects of our most personal attention. Let us therefore look somewhat closer, first at our life in action and at our life in solitude.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life, pg14-15

Scripture:
³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶ Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.   Mark 1:35-39

First Presbyterian Church Advent - 2020

Prayer

 
A Prayer for Your Local Church

Jesus, Thank You for your work within the Church. Thank You that despite our human failures and shortcomings, You still use your Church to bring about Your purposes in the world. And You do this through local congregations and churches.

So, my faithful King, draw near to the leaders and pastors of my local body. Right now, help them sense Your presence and peace. Grant them the strength, energy, and courage necessary to lead Your people well. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide them and give them supernatural wisdom and insight. Keep the Evil One away because he hates the great work You’re doing through these men and women. And show me what it looks like to participate in that work, too.

As Your church, let us live as Your ambassadors, carrying out the ministry of reconciliation that You have entrusted to us.

Help us become One unified body, modeling the love on display within the Trinity. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, allow us to shine like a city on a hill,
reflecting Your light in this dark world.

You are this world’s last hope.

Amen.

Scripture

 In the time of Herod king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.  Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
Luke 1:5-10