Prayer For A Willing Heart To Make And Live Right Choices

As we approach Christmas we all need to exercise real discernment so we do the right thing throughout the holiday season.  I just heard that two of the areas in Ontario where many of my family live, including my mom are being moved into “red” for the next 28 days.  Here in BC we had our “no social visits and only essential travel” restrictions extended until the first week of January.  There are lots of factors to consider with physical distancing until there is widespread vaccination against the COVID-19 virus.  Many officials are warning us about the bleak winter months ahead and the truly terrible numbers of cases and deaths we could see around us if we simply continue on with how we’ve been doing things.

It takes a real willingness of heart to make hard choices, especially with Christmas approaching.  We want to get together with family and friends.  “Tis the season.”  This year we can’t and we pray that many will not look for loopholes and exceptions so they can do what would be convenient, but would prioritize “the we over the me .”  

Let’s pray to be spiritually discerning so we recognize God’s will in caring for our family and friends, and for the willingness to apply best practices  as we go through our days.  Let’s Pray:

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.”  (Isaiah 48:17 NLT)

Thank you God for creating us to live in relationship You forever.  You have given us free will to choose to love and obey you.  When we belong to You, Your Holy Spirit lives in us to help us know You and Your ways and to have the capacity to separate and sift not just the good from the bad but also what is best over what is just okay.

There are so many things to consider as we make our way through each day of this Christmas season – some factors we’ve been made aware of and others I don’t think we even know at this time – but we ask that You will help us use the information we have to make informed choices about our behaviour and travel and social interactions.  You know how to make something beautiful out of even these very different choices and activities during this Christmas time.

God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.   Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

We pray for businesses who are so hard hit during this usually very busy time.  Would You put practical ideas into their minds so they know how to do things well.  We pray for patience to persevere with restrictions that continue to be necessary and to do the things that keep all of us safe and healthy.

We continue to pray for frontline workers  who are weary after many months of intense and stressful work.  Help them to find rest in You and the strength to make the best choices in the care of those who are ill. 

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right,

and righteous people live by walking in them. Hosea 14:9

Help us to continue to find things to be grateful for in imperfect holiday celebrating in our communities.  Help us to be patient and encouraging with one another so we all can have peace of mind and heart and be settled enough to make choices that are right and true.

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

This is the birthday celebration of the Lord Jesus whose birth was announced as one that would bring “peace on earth and good will among men.”  So let that be true now in 2020.

Thank you so much God for sending Jesus into the world to give His life for us and make a way for us to have a living and eternal relationship with You, Our Heavenly Father.  Thank You for the Holy Spirit who is living in us and teaching us the truth about life that we could never know on our own. Thank You for Your word recorded in The Bible that reveals truth to us so we can live well.  As we spend time in Your word today, please give us a discerning heart to recognize Your ways and then put them into practice.

Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.  I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. Psalm 119:124-125

Heavenly Father, In each situation, today, please help us to  make a humble assessment of our will versus Your revealed will.  Help us to trust Your promises to direct our steps as we submit our plans to You. Help us to be sensitive to Your heart today, God, so we not only discern, but willingly choose the best path forward today.  Amen