The Advent of Your God-Dream

Advent means “come.” At Christmastime we celebrate the miracle birth of “Immanuel,” God come to be with us. Jesus Christ come to earth to show us God in human flesh is God’s greatest dream and humankind’s greatest longing.

Is there a special dream that God wants to birth through you? Are you waiting on God to come to you in a special way?

The fulfillment of the Christmas miracle came through the humble submission and trust of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She offered what you could say is the most important prayer in all of the Bible (repeated in similar words throughout the Scriptures): “Let it be to me according to your Word.” (Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-7, 19-20 tells the story.)

We don’t really accomplish anything of lasting significance apart from a prayer intention like Mary’s.

Cultivate the trust in God and submission to his kingdom purposes that Mary expressed so you too can give birth to your God-dream. Center yourself in prayer by slowly and gently repeating over and over to the Lord, “Let it be to me according to your Word… Let it be to me according to your Word…”

(You can do this Centering Prayer right now at your computer screen or you can print this page out and do it later in a quiet place.)

Breathe the Word of God in and out: “Let it be to me according to your Word…”

Let God’s Word descend from your mind down into your heart; let your thoughts go down into your intentions: “Let it be to me according to your Word…”

Name to the Lord the dream that he has given you for how you can serve him and bless others… Imagine yourself doing this… Repeat Mary’s prayer that received God’s Christmas miracle: “Let it be to me according to your Word…”

Who do you know who needs a “God with us” miracle? Name this person to God… Picture him or her… Pray: “Let it be to my friend according to your Word…”

Be Quiet to Welcome Christmas

Christmastime can be so noisy and busy! Perhaps God is inviting you to make time for quiet prayer?

Zechariah (John the Baptist’s father) waited in silence ten months for the first Christmas! We might do well to pray in quiet for ten minutes! Or an hour or two.

Be still to anticipate Christ’s coming and like Zechariah you too will burst forth with joyous Christmas praise! Set aside some time alone with God and quietly pray to prepare your heart to experience Christ’s birth anew this Christmas.

To help you to quiet your heart try a Centering Prayer on Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” Slowly and gently repeat God’s Word to yourself… Breathe the words in and out…

Then pray for someone else to slow down and appreciate the spirit of Christmas.

Luke 1:5-25, 67-80

Thirsty for Jesus!

I had too much to do today. But thank God I kept my Sabbath anyway to walk in the hills and go into quiet prayer.

I set aside ministry opportunities, but they came with me in my head! So I kept setting aside all these good thoughts for the best thoughts. I let the beauty of God’s creation and the prayers of the Psalmist draw me into Christ’s wonderful presence.

Eventually all that was left was Jesus. And in Jesus I found delight!

Later I prayed about ministry matters and then I did the work of ministry in Jesus’ easy yoke.

O Jesus! O that I would live with you in this way.

O Jesus!

(A prayer of paraphrases from Psalm 63 verses 1 and 3)

O Jesus!

My soul thirsts for you! – for your Spirit’s living waters;

My whole being from the inside out yearns for your presence;

My personality clings to you to hold me together, upright;

My inner depths look up to you, longing for your smile;

My soul cries out to you, to flow in your life now and forever.

O Jesus!

Your love is better than life! – better than any other thing;

Your presence with me is the only thing that satisfies me;

Your personality – wonderfully complete – is what embraces me;

Your deep mercy and grace is all that I live for;

Your life in me and through me to others is my greatest joy.

O Jesus!

My soul thirsts for you! – for your Spirit’s living waters;

Your love is better than life! – better than any other thing;

My whole being from the inside out yearns for your presence;

Your presence with me is the only thing that satisfies me;

My personality clings to you to hold me together, upright;

Your personality – wonderfully complete – is what embraces me;

My inner depths look up to you, longing for your smile;

Your deep mercy and grace is all that I live for;

My soul cries out to you, to flow in your life now and forever.

Your life in me and through me to others is my greatest joy.