Day 1 reading: Isaiah 40:1-8
(Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash)
“Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord…. make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
Introduction: For this year’s series, I have decided to include some written prayers each day that are based on a specific passage of Scripture. There will not be the same devotional thoughts as in the past, but my intent is to offer corporately focused prayers that draw us toward God as we reflect together on the Bible passage. Some of the wording in the prayers may be unfamiliar however there is a richness to be found in written prayers that we all pray together during this series. I invite you to step in to these prayers and invite the Holy Spirit to stir your heart.
A Prayer:
Heavenly Father, God of all comfort,
We look to you in these days of darkness, recognizing that you are the source of all light and life. We lift up our gaze and our attention toward you, knowing that you are always more attentive toward us that we are toward you. Let the light of your Son Jesus Christ come to us afresh, this day.
You are our Father in heaven who is always ready to give good gifts to those who come to you in prayer.
As you have taught us to pray, “give us today our daily bread”, we come asking for those gracious words that you would speak to us for the comforting of our souls. There is trouble and hardship in our world, and in our lives. We choose today to look to you, from whom our help comes from.
We pause to seek after you, knowing that those who seek, find; we knock, knowing that doors open, and we believe that in your words are life and in your presence is all comfort and hope.
In this season of Advent, we would prepare a way for you in our lives, asking that you would you prepare our hearts for the coming of your Son; would you speak tenderly to us and bring us into your comfort and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever, Amen.