The Christmas story is made up of the natural and the supernatural, the unholy and the holy, the proud and the humble, but more than anything it is about God come down. It is the birth of the baby that will grow to be the man who offers redemption for souls through the taste of His own death. The focus is always on this babe, Jesus, who will be slayed by the world he offers salvation, but there are characters who welcome the baby who also have qualities worth emulating. As we embrace the Christmas spirit let us also be prayerful about cultivating the godly characteristics of the players within it with these ten Christmas prayers.
A Prayer Inspired by Elizabeth - May I be an Encouragement
Father God, help me to be like Elizabeth who waited well for your promises to unfold faithfully and with hope. Help me to love the people around me with passion and support and trust you to be the one who will take away my reproach. May I help the people that you have put in my path to find the way that you have set for them and call out the gifts from you that I see in their life. Make me one who will always be amazed by your presence and ready for what you may do next. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
“The Lord has done this for me,” she [Elizabeth] said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”Luke 1:25
“In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!’” Luke 1:42
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A Prayer Inspired by Zachariah - Give Me Vision
Lord, help me to be like Zachariah, a man who was given visions showing what you would do. Give me sight that sees past the worries of today in hopes of what you might do tomorrow, and if the signs you give me feel more like a curse, help me see your purpose in them. Let me rest in and be left speechless by the magnificent and amazing plans that you hold in your hands. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
“When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.” Luke 1:22
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A Prayer Inspired by John the Baptist - Let Me Live Out of Sanctified Zeal
Holy God, help me to be like John the Baptist, boldly on mission focused on pointing people to Christ. May your hand be with me, may my words be yours, and may you become more as I become less. Use me to help people find the love that never fails so that their souls may be saved. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
“Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.” Luke 1:66
“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,” Luke 1:76-77
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A Prayer Inspired by The Innkeeper - May I Offer Hospitality
God my sustainer, help me to find space like the Innkeeper. Show me how to make space for Christ even when I see no "easy" accommodations, and ESPECIALLY when every space in my life is feels full and is getting booked. May you always be my first priority and convict me when the busyness of life has crowded my time and not made room for you, my first love. In the gracious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
“...and she [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:7
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A Prayer Inspired by the Angels - Remind Me to Celebrate
Dear Lord, help me to learn from the Angels, celebrating and heralding the King of kings' arrival, death, resurrection, and return. Let my heart always rejoice in the fact that a Holy God came down in the flesh, fully man and fully God so that I may be saved from the terror of sin. May I also celebrate the great victory of seeing sinners repent and bring their hearts to the God who redeems. In the awesome name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:13-14
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
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A Prayer Inspired by the Shepherds - May I be Alert
Father God, make me to be like the Shepherds: alert and awake to what you are doing, in thankful awe that you would choose me to be a part of your plans. Let me not be bogged down by humdrum tasks and schedules, but always be ready for when you interrupt the mundane with the miraculous. Help me to have open eyes and a willing heart. In the name of Jesus my Savior and Lord, Amen.
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:15
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A Prayer Inspired by the Wise Men - Grant Me Perseverance and Wisdom
Jesus, let me be like the Wise Men, eager to give the best of what I have for Christ's glory, and His people. Willing to go to great lengths to worship, serve, and seek out the truth of what you have offered not only to me, but to the world. Give me a discerning mind so that I may tell the difference between those who wish to harm and those who seek to know love, and help me to have the wisdom I will need to walk the paths to which your light will lead me. In your wise and enduring name I pray, Amen.
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” Matthew 2:10-12
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A Prayer Inspired by Joseph - Mark Me with Faithfulness and Trust
Mighty God, may I approach what you call me to with humility like Joseph. May I trust you at your word and be willing to be faithful even when I can’t make sense of what is happening around me. Let me look to you and boldly embrace the life you have designed for me instead of trying to craft one of my own design. Help me to build what you have asked and to your holy specifications. In Jesus’ holy name I pray, Amen.
“‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” Matthew 1:23-24
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A Prayer Inspired by Mary - Give Me Beautiful Dependence
Lord, may I, like Mary, simply live a life that says, “I am the Lord’s Servant.” Let me be close to Jesus in all seasons of life, and may I find favor with you as I believe for you to do the impossible. In Jesus’ precious lovely name I pray, Amen.
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30
“‘For no word from God will ever fail.’ ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:37-38
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A Prayer Inspired by Jesus - Humanity Perfected
Jesus, please make me like you. I know I will never reach perfection this side of heaven, but I trust in you to complete the work you have started in me. When I look at the majesty of the manger, I am eternally grateful that you came as a baby to be with us. I want to be like you, love like you, and help the world to know you. Would you please shape me, cleanse me, and guide me so that everyday I find more of you. You are my heart’s desire and I am forever yours. In your perfect name I pray, Amen.
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
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Originally published Monday, 11 December 2017.
