Prayer, Plain and Simple

Prayer, Plain and Simple

Advent Prayer: Listening

posted by nsymmonds | 6:00am Monday November 30, 2009

By Claudia Mair Burney

Monday, the first week of Advent

“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will call him Jesus.” Luke 1:26-21, NRSV

Many Evangelical Christians are fond of saying they’ve accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. The words are often said fearlessly, and sometimes even proudly. How disconnected we can be from Mary’s awe. We can take a few clues from Jesus’ first disciple. She pondered Gabriel’s strange greeting perplexed, before she sat in amazement at his message. It was only then that she believed, even before she became Jesus’ mother. Without her exquisitely reverent hearing, believing, and then acting on God’s directive, Mary would have never conceived Him.

God of amazing grace, Am I really listening to you? And more than listening, am I pondering deeply what You’ve said? I don’t want to lose my reverence and devotion. Help me to know, always, that your indwelling presence is a gift. I did not, and could not earn it. Without Your enabling grace I could never have accepted Christ. Therefore, I must obey you. What good is a gift of such magnitude if I refuse to submit to your will? I pray that You’ll give me both the willingness, and the obedience of Mary, so that I may bear Christ faithfully, rather than abort His inner workings through my doubt and disobedience. “Come, Lord Jesus.”


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Comments read comments(5)
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candace charleston

posted December 18, 2009 at 8:46 am


This prayer has meant alot to me because i am currently, but not for long-term, in a mental hospitol and me writing it doen and saying it everyday will brighten up my day. I’ll be leaving Tuesday and going back to baton rouge to my loving family. please keep me informed through my e-mail on this great newsletter i read everyday. THANKS BELIEFNET!!!!!



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Stephanie

posted December 22, 2009 at 7:16 pm


It is very hard to just give up ones will and thoughts to just let God in and obey. I would love to be able to do this; but do not know how. I was raised to be seen and not heard; if I spoke wrongly or to loud I was struck. So as an adult I have raised my children to be free thinkers and speak boldly and loudly for themselves; in a sense I greatly wish I had not done so. Now that I realized I need God and Jesus my children rebuke me. I find myself alone in body, heart and soul and I know that I have no one to blame for that but myself. How does one let God into ones life fully?



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Lora Lee

posted December 28, 2009 at 9:50 am


Dear Stephanie,
It is great that u have taught your children to speak for themselves. Never be ashamed of that. No one likes change, but your children will see the difference. Just like Jesus, he was alone in body, and he was refused, and rebuked. But with example the people began to believe. Be happy and joyous that u r at a turning point in your life. You will lead by example. It is a very hard road. But it has more rewards than u can imagine. Keep reading the bible, and showing instead of telling the kids how u are changing they will be curious, especially when u have a glow and a smile and the kids will ask why u then will know they are taking notice, be patient and read your bible, dont miss church services and pray. Pray is a powerful thing, I wish the best for you, I too have been thru this, and always remeber we are human we are not jesus. When u get down ask god to help you back up so u can get on with your journey. God Bless and keep you under his wing until you are ready to fly. Lora Lee



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Roulette gewinnen

posted September 8, 2010 at 8:23 pm

marianne

posted December 6, 2011 at 9:22 pm


Thanks for the read meaning of the Christmas

Season! Consumerism has taken over for big

spenders instead of God!



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