Prayer, Plain and Simple

Prayer, Plain and Simple

Advent Prayer, Day 7: Embracing Jesus

posted by nsymmonds

By Claudia Mair Burney
Saturday, the first week of Advent

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on Him. It had been revealed by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him in His arms and praised God…” Luke 2:25-28


This story is often overlooked in the Christmas narrative, but its importance can’t be underestimated. Simeon was a just man who listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. God had promised this old, faithful servant would never see death until the Messiah was revealed. I’m certain the Mary and Joseph didn’t announce, “Hey, this is Him. He’s the One. You don’t even have to bless Him like these other babies. No, they arrived and did what all Jewish parents did. But there was something about the life and faith of Simeon that prepared Him for the special revelation he received. God rewarded him for His fidelity. When he took a child who looked so very ordinary in His arms, the Child revealed Who He was. Imagine what will happen in our lives when we live right and embrace Jesus.

Beloved Consolation,
The just man Simeon lived for You in a way that I only dream of. Help me to be as faithful as I can be. Your Holy Spirit rested upon Him. Let Your sweet Spirit hover around me, as in Creation the Spirit brooded upon the face of the waters. I open my arms, and my heart to you. Come into my embrace, dear infant Jesus. Reveal to me who You are, as You respond to my love and receptivity. And should You be so gracious to grant this favor, I will give you all the glory forever.
“Come, Lord Jesus.”



Previous Posts

A Prayer After the Explosions that Rocked Mumbai
At least 10 are dead in three separate explosions that tore through a business district in Mumbai, India today. Dozens more are injured. The Indian government has confirmed that the explosions were terrorist attacks likely from Muslim radicals. They have placed the entire city on high alert. “Go

posted 11:12:12am Jul. 13, 2011 | read full post »

A Prayer for a True Yankee Hero
Christian Lopez could have made a “cool” fifty thousand dollars… at least. Instead, he didn’t ask for a single thing. And that is the real “cool” in the story. Lopez happened to be sitting in the left field seats at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, July 9th when Derek Jeter hit a towering

posted 7:05:04pm Jul. 11, 2011 | read full post »

A Prayer for Victims of Sexual Abuse
Jaycee Dugard, the young woman kidnapped in 1991 at the age of 11 by Phillip Garrido and held captive for nearly two decades told her story last night to Diane Sawyer on ABC News' "Primetime." Gugard appeared remarkably composed throughout the interview. Phillip Garrido, 60, a serial sex offender

posted 7:57:30am Jul. 11, 2011 | read full post »

A Prayer for Rain
Torrential rains this week brought a first-relief to drought-stricken Texas. But much more is needed if the southern states of the US are to escape the historic dry spell that has gripped the region most of the year. Praying for rain seems fitting. “God, you send rains in season. It is a season o

posted 7:50:14pm Jul. 09, 2011 | read full post »

A Prayer for Crime Victims
 Murder is in the news cycle. Casey Anthony was acquitted this week on charges of first degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter. Who hasn’t heard about that, and who doesn’t have an opinion? Now Humberto Leal, 38, who was convicted in 1995 in the brutal raping and murd

posted 9:05:37am Jul. 07, 2011 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(1)
post a comment
Roo

posted December 9, 2009 at 7:12 am


What a wonderful prayer! I saved it in my favorite places so I can read it everyday and make it my prayer. How many lives would be better if we allow the Holy spirit dwell and our hearts and truly embraced the Consolation of Israel and Hope of the World.



report abuse
 

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.

Share this story


About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Help

Media Kit

Subscribe

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.