Advent-y Prayers? Not So Much.

matterofprayer blog post for Thursday, December 11, 2014

Advent-y Prayers? Not So Much.

I haven’t been feeling prayerful, hopeful and full of anticipation. I just haven’t.

I apologize ahead of time for a blog post that is a bit of a downer. It is just I am not feeling any anticipation for the coming of Christ, for that celebration of the birth of the Baby in Bethlehem.

Yes, I am doing all of the outward, Advent-y things. I am seeing that the Advent candles are lit on the Advent wreath at my church, each week. The hymns and readings for each Advent worship service are set. The church is getting ready for Christmas, what with decorations, the poinsettia orders, and the orders for worship and bulletins. Yes. I taught a midweek bible study on Isaiah 40:1-5, a wonderful Advent passage talking about the voice crying out in the wilderness. Prophecy talking about the coming of John the Baptist. My final question to the bible study was, how are we preparing the way of the Lord, today? What does that look like for us?

Great question, God. I know I told the seniors at the bible study yesterday that we can proclaim Christ’s coming in a variety of ways. Not only by preaching (like John the Baptist), but by showing Christ’s love—in actual, physical, concrete ways, like giving food to our local food pantry, Maine Township Food Pantry. Or, one of the bible study participants suggested by giving diapers to Bundled Blessings, a diaper pantry ministry in Evanston that our church prays for on a regular basis. Yes! A thousand times, yes! I also suggested giving to the Salvation Army kettles.

So, God, I am trying to act in a loving way. I know even if I do not feel hopeful or filled with anticipation, I can still act as if. And sooner or later, my insides will catch up with my outsides. And besides, You still call me to act in a loving, hopeful manner. Even when I don’t feel like it.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, Gracious God, thank You for Your presence with me—with all of us. Renew the hopeful anticipation within each one of us. The hope given to us by that voice crying in the wilderness, telling each of us to prepare the way of the Lord—Your way, Lord. No matter how each of us is urged to communicate about You today, give each of us opportunities to do exactly that. Thank You for helping us to walk with You day by day, on that highway for our God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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Like a Refiner’s Fire

matterofprayer blog post for Monday, December 23, 2013

Like a Refiner’s Fire

It’s almost Christmas Eve. I want to scoot ahead to the time of the Christmas celebration, but we aren’t there yet.

Today, in my Advent reflection, I read Malachi 3:1-3. I was especially struck by the words “For he is like a refiner’s fire . . . and he will purify . . . and refine them like gold and silver.” Yes, I am still waiting, as the practice of Advent encourages me to do. I am watching and waiting for the messenger of the covenant to prepare the way before me, true. But I’m afraid of that other image, too.

I understand the image of the refiner’s fire in principle. But I do not like going through the fire. It’s the being-refined-part that I object to. It hurts! Ow! What gives, God?
I’ve been there, especially in the past number of months with my employment situation. (or difficulty with, or total lack thereof) I understand that I am supposed to reflect God. I’ve heard the analogy of a silversmith melting silver in his shop. He knew that the molten silver had all the impurities taken away when he could see his face in the silver. Gee, silver must really get hot for that to happen! I guess that‘s similar to my situation(s). I earnestly am trying to be faithful, and to follow. Even when the situation’s too hot to handle.

Help me wait for the coming of the Baby in Bethlehem. Soon! Very soon!

Let’s pray. God, I try to follow You. I know You are there by my side, and Your purposes are good and gracious. I know You want me to be faithful, too. Even when I forget You’re there, or get angry because things aren’t going my way, or just get sick and tired of waiting for You. God, forgive me. Help me to continue to wait. Be with me when things get too hot to handle. Protect me when I’m being tried by fire. God, thanks for Your constant presence through every situation, even in this almost-Christmas, still-waiting time. Amen.