The Prayer of Encouragement for 25 December
Deacon Arlene Burton offers the Prayer of Encouragement for 25 December 2020 for our country, businesses, frontline and other workers.
My Brothers, Sisters and Friends we hope that you are well. However, if not, please let us know.
Today we give God thanks for His presence here on earth. He came as a baby in the form of man though He was God (John 1:9-14). The simplicity of His birth was not given the accolades of humankind. Yet, out of the fear of disturbance to his kingdom, king Herod intended on killing Him at the beginning. However, it was neither the time nor way that His Father intended for Him to die. Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, had a prominent role in His life. He was told to take Jesus to Egypt from Bethlehem. He was later told to take him to Israel because Herod had died (Matthew 2).
The Magi saw the sign (the star) and went in search of Jesus. Herod got news of this information and asked that they tell him so that he could also worship Him. You mean worship Him, O yeah…Give me a break. God saw Herod’s heart and warned (not just informed) them not to disclose Jesus’ location to him (Matthew 2). The intention of Herod’s heart conflicted with the words spoken.
We do not see the heart of humankind but God does so it is critical for us to learn to discern and allow the Spirit of God to lead our path. We need to develop the ability to listen and act according to the Spirit of God’s counsel in everything that we say and do. I am trying to do so. Whenever I make a decision along that path, I am convinced deep within every sense of my being that it is the right one.
Jesus came as the Son of God to show us how to relate to our heavenly Father, and those around us. Jesus came and showed us the way we should live, among other things. The life He lived was simple, but impacting. He made a difference in the lives of many people. He was a leader who taught, counselled, healed, raised the dead, defended, protected, and provided. Jesus loved the good people, those who were hard-hearted, hard-headed, high-spirited and rejected. His love was never conditional. He knew and experienced rejection, hatred, harsh and hard treatments. Yet, many people loved Him. He was and still is the Christ, Son of the living God.
As I face life’s challenges, I become more appreciative of God’s grace and mercy because I have to rely on Him every day. The most important thing is that He remains in charge. I am particularly honoured to be called His child. You know, I no longer have an earthly father but I am comforted by the fact that my heavenly Father (my Creator) is immortal and filled with infinite greatness. He showed us that it was okay to mourn, to laugh and fulfil God’s purpose. He is consistent and remains the same yesterday, today and forevermore because He was and still is the Christ, Son of the living God.
I find it very difficult to think of His birth and not His death. I am always reminded of the reason He came (John 3:16). There were prophecies of His birth. Isaiah, the prophet was one of those persons who heralded such prophecies (Isaiah 7:13-15). The act of God sending His Son had to be because He genuinely loved us and continues to do so. There were so many doubters from religious and non-religious spheres of life, for example the unbelief of Jewish leaders (John 7:45-53). Yet He was and still is the Christ, Son of the living God.
Faithlessness is not an option for God because that would amount to self-denial. Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). In today’s world, many people are confused about Him because they cannot see Him in the physical realm. You may note that in the midst of bad experiences He continued the relationship with His Father aiming to honour and please Him at all times (Matthew:26:39). He continued to love, give, heal and forgive. What an amazing life! How awesome is He? What an example for us to emulate! Wow!
I heard people saying that they have put off the celebration of Christmas because of Covid-19. If we think about that comment, certain questions may cross our minds. What were they celebrating during other Christmas times? Who were they celebrating? You may agree that Christmas celebrations require festivities but what was the focus of them? You know, we may modify the celebration but the celebrant is to be honoured and adored. So today we celebrate and acknowledge the birth of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. He was, He is and will always be the Christ, Son of the living God. Big Him up! “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace to those on whom His favour rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV).
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your unconditional love. We thank You for sending Your Son through whose name we pray. Lord Jesus, today we celebrate You because You deserve honour, glory and praise. You are worthy O Lord. We give You thanks and bless Your holy name.
O God, out of the depths we cry. Have mercy on us, cleanse us from all our sins, and make us worthy vessels in Your sight. Lord, let Your mercies overflow us like a never ending stream.
Lord, we present to You our leaders of churches, private sector, government, voluntary institutions, homes and the political directorate. We thank You for sustaining them especially through such an unusual and challenging year. We ask that You continue to protect them and their families. Grant them wisdom, knowledge and understanding in their efforts to serve, and cause it that they do so in genuineness. Lord, we lift up to You the leaders of criminal activities, their support systems and personnel. We ask that You confuse and circumvent every plan, activity and desire of evil that they may propel.
We present to You especially the Honourable Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, Minister of Health Christopher Tufton, Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke, health workers and support staff, Minister of National Security Horace Chang, Minister of Education, leader of the opposition and their families; Jamaica Defence Force and Jamaica Constabulary Force personnel and Security Guards, all other leaders of government and their support staff.
Minister of National Security, Horace Chang and his team, as they fight the good fight to overcome the challenges we face each day. Lord, we put to You and ask for Your blessings on the Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck. We also remember the judges in our congregation, Paula Blake Powell and Grace Henry McKenzie
Lord, we ask that our communities be brought to a place of understanding that there is only one God, and that You must be worshipped and adored. Help us to be good neighbours, protecting each man’s dignity, loving and defending each man as a brother/sister, each man as a friend. Lord, help us to be consistent with what we say and do, and grant us obedient hearts that follow Your will and ways.
Lord, we pray for those who are in businesses. We ask that You help them to know how to adjust to the current economic environment and survive. Lord, grant them true wisdom, knowledge, courage and understandings. We ask that You provide for them and open the doors of opportunity for them.
Lord, You see the struggle in the workforce, for example, the loss of jobs but we know that You sustain all of us. Lord, provide for us, as You guide and protect our paths. Remember those currently on the frontline, especially those exposed to the Covid-19 Virus. Lord, strengthen and comfort them,
Lord, we also present to You the business leaders in our congregation:
Ewan and Maxine Oliver; Lanna and Desmond Bennett; Warrick Bogle, Carol and Leroy Blake, Marcia Leair, Robert and Bevelin Smith, Paulette Dixon, Kemorine and Karl Henry, Ava Comrie, Catherine Barkley and husband, Cornel Richards and family, Everton Lewis, Pauline and Mark Garvey, Brother Astley Hall, Maxine and Benedict Ranger, Melva Knight, Nicole Fender, Sharon Baldie, Karl Jones and others.
Lord, we commit our thoughts, attitudes and behaviour to You and ask that You bless and keep us as we reflect and share whether by ourselves, with friends or families.
Lord, there are many people who do not like this time of year because they lost loved ones during this time. There are those I know of who are just alone without families and close friends. We pray that You embrace them. Fill them with Your love and peace, and be a banner around them, in Jesus’ name we pray with thanksgiving.
Amen.
Our Prayers of Encouragement are for everyone. Therefore, if you are also in need of prayer or comfort, please contact us with your request. We would be so very happy to share with you.
