I Hope We Are Faithful In Prayer

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

We have discussed hope, blessings, and patience this week. With this devotional we will look at being faithful in prayer. In our journey through Advent and into Christmas we are moving closer to the physical date when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. And along this path we can encounter many opportunities to have our faith tested, scorned and even belittled. Being Christian at Christmas is no simple walk in the park. On all sides we encounter elements of society that as I mentioned before want to take the “Christ out of Christmas.” In the face of hostility to that which Christians hold dear we often hear hostility in the voice of those defending Christ in Christmas. And in that very hostility we know that Christ has been removed from Christmas. A more “Christ-like” response would be one filled with love and prayer. Angry words do not win arguments, they simply stoke the fire for more heated arguments.  Instead of words and actions of anger, there should be love and prayer permeating the exchange between peoples and organizations. Instead of getting in their face about the whole ‘holiday’ thing we ought first to take time to pray. We can pray for those involved to have a change of heart and return to the ‘Christmas’ side of things. We can offer to visit and to pray with those involved that they would know that what we in Christ stand for is not anger. Rather our message should be of love. That same love shown to all mankind in the birth of the Christ Child celebrated each December 25^th. That monumental act of love should not be replaced by words and actions of anger and intemperance. In John 13: 34&35 the words of Jesus tell us exactly what we are to do.  “A new command I give to you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” It’s kind of difficult to argue with the boss when the boss laid out His position so clearly.

And prayer is such a powerful tool that is often under utilized when we seek to love one another. In prayer we step aside from our own reasoning and open ourselves up to what God would have us do. Prayer is not a one sided conversation when we truly reach out to God. But all too often we use our prayer time as an opportunity to give God a “To Do” list. And when we take this approach to prayer we miss so very much. Our Father wants to not just hear from us, he wants to reach out to us. And our time of prayer is opportunity we have to seek out his will in our lives. Being faithful in prayer is what we must do. We acknowledge God is our maker our sole salvation when we reach out in prayer. Our perspective is aligned to that simple truth in prayer. He is God, and we are not. It is a case of His will be done, and not our will. Let’s try prayer first in how we approach those who seek to take Christ out of Christmas. And ask for the words and actions He would have us use.

PRAYER: Almighty God, You first loved us, when we did not deserve that love. You poured out Your love with Your Son on the cross so that all mankind could be saved. Help us Father to reach out in love to those who seek to minimize the importance of Christ in Christmas. Give us Your words and the actions You would have us take. Help us to remain faithful to Your love. This we ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.