A prayer of consecration at the dawn of the year. I must know Him more this year. He is my Shield and my Defense. He is my Physician and Friend. He is my Creator and Sustainer. He is my only resolution — none other would suffice in getting to my heart... my nature. Let us learn this year what God says of Himself and of us, and take Him at His word.

A meditative vigil, waiting and watching for the birth of the Messiah, whose light has come, full of grace and truth. He is beautiful to behold, and worthy of our watchful adoration. The advent season brings the space to access a special peace and reflection upon the ancient prophecies regarding the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.

A meditation and devotional prayer on the incarnation. Do we approach the baby Jesus in the same way we approach the man Jesus or the victorious Jesus? Do we treat or thoughts toward Him with the same honor that the visiting Magi did this time of year? We must see Him and run to Him as He is, regardless of the lowly state, or the cattle stall. He was the long awaited King of Glory, even as a baby.

A meditation and prayer on uplifting others in prayer. "The spirit of prayer is a public treasure, though laid up in some few hands. All cannot pray, therefore all should be prayed for," says William Gurnall. It is a difficult question to ask ourselves if we have hearts that are bound pray — and pray for others. Are we too distracted to see, too selfish to hear, and too busy to act on behalf of others in prayer?

A prayer and meditation to remember the deeper meaning of the season of advent — to remember He came and tabernacled among us. Incarnation. May we make that our anchor and rest in the days ahead as we seek prayerfully to do his will and say to God what Mary said to the visiting angel:"Behold, I am the Lord's servant. May it happen to me according to your word." 

Let us return once again to Moses to see and pray through what it means to hear and obey. Endurance of faith and obedience in a continually more distracting world is a serious matter. Will we be doers in the face of challenges or distractions? Will I obey his word to me?

Some Greeks came with the crowds and asked to see Jesus. He had a response worth dwelling on and praying over. Are we willing to believe Him and do what he says, and in doing so,to serve him? What type of grain of wheat will we be?

A prayer and meditation honing in on God's 'knowing,' while resting and praying through Ezekiel 37 and Psalm 139. Can we posture ourselves in front of an all-knowing God in a way that honors Him and the truth that He is all-knowing? Does it make us uncomfortable that he "sees" and "knows" us from before our first cell's division to beyond our final synapse firing — or does it thrill us and comfort us?

A prayer and meditation asking God to reveal what He says it means to be blessed. Do I recognize myself as 'blessed?' Does what I say being 'blessed' is align with who Jesus declares as Blessed? This is a hard prayer and meditation for it uproots our age of desire, accumulation, and comfort and replaces it with Spirit, Truth, and the Kingdom of Heaven.

A prayer, simply waiting on God. Just waiting... to fight the noise, to focus our mind, to humble our heart, to find shalom. It is good to wait on the Lord. Just be still ...and wait.

A prayer meditating on the Name of God. It is good to remember that His Name is important throughout the entirety of the scriptures. Over and over again we are invited, nay commanded, to remember His Name. His Name is above all other names, from generation to generation.

A prayer and meditation looking to the Son of Man and the Lamb of God. We ask God to bless us with an even clearer vision of His Son, Jesus. It is Good and necessary to behold the Man upon the cross, to behold the Man outside the tomb, to behold the Man ascending to the heights, and to behold the Man seated at the right hand of the Father. Let us worship and rest in His presence.

A prayer and meditation, rippling outward, not only acknowledging the truth and reality of God's Holiness, but asking for Him to fulfill His promise in Isaiah 55. The words that go out from His mouth will not return to him without success. May He deliver that word to us in this time of need as well as to others (friend and foe) in this time of need. May his eternal word come like the rain and snow, showering righteousness and life upon all. May it accomplish what He wills in our life, as we submit ourselves to it.

A prayer and meditation on fighting fear with faith. In humility, let us approach the Almighty God and bow to his sovereignty, choosing to fear Him instead of the world. When we see Jesus and His works lighting up everything around us, we can take courage and strength to face our fears in this fallen world.

A prayer and meditation on the special season of lent and the window of opportunity it provides those of faith to 1) remember the true gospel, 2) fast and pray, and 3) practically match our words and deeds to those of Christ. Under the authority of the Word and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us enter into this season with diligence, seriousness, and with a repentant spirit.

A meditation and intercession on behalf of brothers and sisters around the world who are in harms way. So many are, and it will get worse. Yet we must not be afraid! Our God is sovereign. He is a God who sees, who grants courage and strength to those who believe. Pray for our family around the world.

A prayer and meditation through a confession of faith in the almighty God and the realities He alone has created and sustains. Who is He? Who are we? How do these truths effect our reality, belief, and action?

A prayer and meditation on bathing in the Light of God. God created light, yet He not only claimed to Be light, but also declared his son Jesus to be light. Even more stunning is that we as followers of Christ are to be light and be filled with light. Can we let the warm light of God shine brightly on us and through us toward others?

A prayer and meditation, rippling forth, concerning holy ground and sacred space. Can our hearts and minds be holy ground? Is our house, neighborhood, and city holy ground? Is our light shining in these spaces to allow Jesus to be seen, heard, and felt?

A prayer and meditation about praying in the necessary faith that God is Good. God is a rewarder for those who seek Him. Let us turn our face and attention to Him for He alone is worthy of praise, prayer, and reverent worship.