And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”—Luke 1:46 (ESV)
The above verse is the beginning of the prayer that Mary prayed when the angel announced she would be the mother of Jesus. On this third Sunday of Advent pray Mary’s beautiful words and consider ways that you can glorify Him every day.
My soul magnifies You, oh Lord, and I rejoice in the coming of the Savior.
Share this story
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.—John 13:34 (NIV)
The holidays can put families under stress. If you have strained relationships with loved ones, take a moment and pray about it. Ask God to help you respond to contention with kindness and guide you to words and actions that are rooted in love.
Dear God, give me the patience to bear disagreements and generosity to share my joys. Open my heart with Your understanding and help me bring comfort to those around me.
Share this story
As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
Faith is having the vision to see beyond life’s challenges to the brightness of better days. When you develop your spiritual vision you see possibilities instead of problems and recognize the importance of “things unseen.” You trust God’s hidden workings and live in harmony with His plans.
Dear Lord, I faithfully believe in things that are unseen.
Share this story
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.—Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Stay well-rested this holiday season. Before you go to sleep pray the Lord’s Prayer, followed by intercessions for others, petitions for yourself, and lastly, prayers of praise for the wondrous works of God.
Heavenly Father, fortify me with Your peace. Watch over me, bless my house and my loved ones. Help me rest in Your promise.
Share this story
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Catherine Marshall said, “God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope.” It’s difficult to celebrate the wonder of the season if you are plagued by adversity. Read the above Scripture and remind yourself that God can turn problems into possibilities. Let your heart overflow with hope.
Dear Lord, help me to let go of passing challenges so that I can fill my heart with the joy of Christmas.
Share this story
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.—John 3:16 (NIV)
This Christmas, nurture the spark of His love in your life and in the lives of those around you. Pray. Read the Bible. Be kind and compassionate to others. Smile at strangers. Have gratitude for your life and all its wonders and you’ll discover that the more you share His love, the greater it will grow.
Merciful Father, though mountains may vanish Your undying love will never leave me.
Share this story
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.—ISAIAH 7:14 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “If, beginning this Christmas, you say to yourself ‘God, through Jesus Christ, is with me’ and repeat it daily through the long days and weeks, in happiness and discouragement, that is the greatest gift you can give the Christ Child.” On this second Sunday of Advent, reflect on the miracle that God is here. God is with us!
How comforting to know that You are here. Praise You, Jesus!
Share this story
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.—Galatians 6:3-5 (NIV)
You spend time on social media and see idealized photographs and posts of others, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing and feeling as if you’re not good enough. God wants you to know that you are special— exactly as He created you. Your family, your home, everything you are is not only good enough, it is perfect in His eyes.
Father God, when I look down on myself and feel that I am not good enough, direct my attention where it belongs, looking up to You and Your many blessings.
Share this story
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.—Luke 2:14 (KJV)
If you feel overwhelmed by the pressure of the holiday season, prioritize your commitments. Instead of turning this special time of year into expanding lists of must-dos, make your Christmas happy and holy by selectively saying “yes” only to what is truly important to you.
Dear Lord, help me make this Christmas a season of devotion, a time to love You even more.
Share this story
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy…—Psalm 47:1 (NIV)
Feel the joy of Christmas by spending more time with God. Carve out prayerful moments while on your daily walk, preparing dinner or right before bed. The more you make time for His presence, the more joy enters your heart. It might sound too easy but all you need to do is receive His joy and blessings.
Father Almighty, I am devoted to nurturing Your presence in my life. Fill me with Your love and joy.
Share this story
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.—Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
A study some years ago showed that more than half of Americans believe they had been helped by a guardian angel. Do you believe God’s messengers protect and help you? Think about the above Scripture and reflect on your life. Can you name a time when you felt guided or protected in mysterious and comforting ways?
Heavenly Father, thank You and Your messengers for guarding, guiding and showering me with Your heavenly care.
Share this story
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.—Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Sometimes life’s challenges leave you doubtful about your future; in the worst cases you may even question your faith. During difficult times, when you feel as if God has let you down, turn to this verse. Read it slowly and take His Word deeply into your heart.
Lord, I need help letting go of my disappointment. I trust Your plan and know that You bring victory in my life.
Share this story
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly…—1 CORINTHIANS 9:26 (NIV)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.—PROVERBS 12:25 (NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship.—Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.—Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.—Genesis 1:21 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.—Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.—Romans 12:2 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.—Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.—Psalm 96:1 (NIV)
Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire.—Job 6:8 (NIV)
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.—Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.—Romans 12:21 (NIV)
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.—Psalm 119:30–32 (NIV)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.—Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.—Jeremiah 10:12 (NIV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?—John 11:25–26 (NIV)
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.—John 15:12 (ESV)
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.—2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.—Psalm 108:1 (NIV)
