Lord, you have shown us how to serve others through the example of Jesus. We thank you that you choose to serve us when we don’t deserve it, and we pray that you will help us do the same for others. Please fill our hearts with compassion, humility, and love. Help us to see the areas of need in the world around us and to enter into it. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Lord, you alone are the resurrection and the life. You are the Christ who has come to save the world and will one day make all things new. Will you teach me to trust anew that you really do have the power to make all things new? Will you lift my eyes from present grief and trials to your everlasting truth? In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Dear gracious Father, forgive us for the ways we turn to others for praise instead of turning others to you for praise. Thank you for loving us enough to not let us fool ourselves into thinking our hope can come from somewhere other than through you. Thank you for being our strength in our weakness. May we always shine the light of glory on you with gentleness and respect. In Jesus’s name, to his glory, we pray. Amen.

God, I come to you and ask that you heal the broken places in my life that only you can. Jesus, you are the healer and the only one worthy of all my worship. As I prepare my heart during this holiday season, fill me with a new sense of gratitude for all the times you have met me in my brokenness. Amen.

So, Lord Jesus, help us to do just that. Help us to respond to you—the way you have loved us and have given yourself for us—by giving ourselves away to others. Help us to lay down the things that so easily cause us to climb to the head of our own tables. Help us to serve as you did. Help us to love as you did. We can only do it through you, and so we humbly ask that you would help us now to follow you well. We pray always in your name and for your sake. Amen.

Father, would you keep us praying? Would you draw us to yourself so that we would find delight in your presence. May we find joy in knowing your character more and more as we experience your love and justice and wisdom in our lives. We thank you for saving us through your Son, Jesus Christ, and it’s in his name we pray. Amen.

God, I come to you and ask that you heal the broken places in my life that only you can. Jesus, you are the healer and the only one worthy of all my worship. As I prepare my heart during this holiday season, fill me with a new sense of gratitude for all the times you have met me in my brokenness. Amen.

God, help us to see that you are at work, even when we can’t see it or don’t understand it. Help us to look to you and your Word to teach us what the kingdom of God is like, so that we can set our expectations right and recognize it when we see it. Thank you for the great assurance that in Christ, we have received more than we could possibly imagine. Amen.

I pray as we celebrate Christmas we remember that you are the Prince of Peace. We bring to you all the things we are worried and anxious about, remembering we cannot control them. Help us remember that you are in control and that you love us and take care of all our needs. Help us to meditate on the truth of your Word. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Father, what we often want is trivial. We know that. What you promise to give us is both exactly what we need and wonderful. Thank you for being the perfect father who gives perfect gifts. Amen.

Lord, help us to be good neighbors this season. Give us eyes to see those in need and give us the heart to pursue them. We love you. Amen.

Jesus, thank you for showing us how to see. Give us eyes to see you clearly and the grace you offer so extravagantly. May we come to you boldly and pour out our deep sense of gratitude for what you have done for us. Amen.

Lord, we come to you today in desperate need of your forgiveness. Help us to love the way you have loved us. Remind us of our great need for you, and that you have met us in our need. Show us how we can turn and face the world and love them as you have loved us. Give us an opportunity to do this today, and might you alone receive glory in these moments. We love you. Thank you for loving us first. Amen.

Lord, generosity is at the heart of the gospel: the Father gave the Son; the Son gave his life; the Father and Son gave the Holy Spirit. Help each of us to operate with this same spirit of generosity as we respond to your work in us and around us. Amen.

Lord God Almighty, infinite, all-powerful, merciful, loving God. You came near to a world longing for hope and healing. And at the right time, you reveal yourself to us in such a way that we will never be the same again. May we live faithful lives and share our story of new life with those around us, that the world may know the one true healer and be changed forever. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to shine in the darkness and be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Give us hope for today and for all eternity as we abide in Christ. Remind us this season and every day of the calling you have placed on our lives to shine for you. Give us courage as you remind us that we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for your own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light. Amen.

Papa, help us to see the ways you are showing up in our days, inviting us to relationship with Jesus as our healer and redeemer. Please help us to bring both ourselves and our friends to your feet with anticipation and eagerness for what only you can do. Help us to accept the forgiveness you provide and have the faith to follow you in the midst of the challenges and hardships of this life. Let us know without doubt that Jesus is the only way to you, and let that reorient everything about our lives. Amen.

Lord, let me look people in the eye and see your image in them. Let me be used by you to walk with people who are materially poor. Restore my brokenness, and use me to help reconnect others to you, themselves, and your world. Amen.

Father, we pray that you would help us to keep our eyes fixed on your Son, Jesus Christ. We confess our hearts easily stray to pursuing the things of this world. We know our true treasure lies with you. Help us find our joy and contentment in the riches of your grace. We pray this in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Lord, we thank you for the gift of faith. Build us up, in a world increasingly hostile toward you, to join the voices of Peter and millions of others in declaring you Christ, Son of the living God, forever and ever. Amen.

Gracious heavenly Father, we are humbled that you would invite us to join you in your missional plans. Thank you that you have chosen to demonstrate your surpassing greatness in fractured and flawed jars of clay like us. May you lift our eyes off of our own limitations and remind us that in you we have all that we need. You are more than enough. It’s in the generous, abundant name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Remind us, Lord, of your overwhelming love for us. Though we may not always understand your ways, help us to trust you in all things. May our faith in you, as a loving Father who promises to bring ultimate healing to all creation, remain strong. Help us to believe that you can do great things, even during difficult times. Guide us to always seek your will in our lives and trust in you wholeheartedly. Amen.

Father, help us to remember in this Advent season that what we’re celebrating is the presence of our Savior. He’s here! And we just can’t mourn when the bridegroom is with us. We know that there is a time to mourn and fast, but it’s not right now. Be with us throughout this season and give us your joy. Amen.

LORD, grant us the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the faith to receive the wonders of your sacrificial love this Christmas season. Please help us to trust you and follow you wherever you take us in our journey of faith. We love you. Thank you for loving us first. Amen.