SONGS FOR PRAYER

SET PRAYER

O God of Isaiah and John the Baptist,

through all such faithful ones

you proclaim the unfolding of future joy

and renewed life.

Strengthen our hearts to believe your advent promise

that one day we will walk in the holy way of Christ,

where sorrow and sighing will be no more

and the journey of God's people will be joy. Amen.

reading for: Tuesday Night, 6 DECEMBER

Matthew 11:2-11

The Everyday Challenge of Living in Hope

• READ

  How difficult is it to live in the beautiful and glorious hope of King Jesus?

  We have all heard about the promises of what that hopeful future will look like. But in the end, the challenge is living everyday and every moment in light of this hope.

  John the Baptist captures this best for us. We saw him last week pronouncing “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” (Matthew 3:1-2) And he was prophetically living in the wilderness, baptising those who would repent (change their way of thinking and living). One would think that someone so great (11:11) would not experience any deep doubts! But just as the older prophet Elijah reminded us, even the best of us face will have times of darkness (1 Kings 19).

  John was in prison (v. 2) and having heard of all the amazing things Jesus was doing for others but not him, he couldn’t help but ask if Jesus was really the one (v. 3).

  Jesus answers by paraphrasing Isaiah 35:5-6, that the the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor (v. 5). And encourages John to keep faith and stand firm in his hope of Jesus (v. 6). This paraphrase of Jesus should have reminded John of Isaiah 35:4,

  Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you."

  And with that Jesus proceeds to highlight John’s faithfulness in dark times as a prophetic way of life (v.7-10). A prophectic hopeful way of life that is able to cling on to the hope of Jesus even in the darkest times. Yes even when faced with death (Matthew 14:1-12).

• REFLECT

  As we end 2022, many of us have faced and experienced all sorts of challenges this year. It could have been from the work front - facing tons of impossible deadlines, the accusation of a colleague or the lack of covering from your superior.

  Or from the home - the busyness and tiredness of raising young children, caring for the endless needs of aging elderly parents.

  Some questions for reflection:

  1. In the 2 or 3 significant events that happened in 2022, how were you been able to live in the hope of Jesus?

  2. Were your responses driven by the needs and demands of the situation and people? Or were you actions driven by the hope and light of Jesus at work?

  3. How were you carried by the grace of God through those events and in what way does it reveal to you a fresh new hope for 2023?

reading for: Wednesday Night, 7 DECEMBER

Isaiah 35:1-10

God’s Glorious Hope in Darkness

• READ

What does the hope of this Promised Messiah bring? Under what circumstances will we see this hope being brought forth?

Isaiah 35 shows us 2 things, first that this hope shines in the darkest places (wilderness). Second, this hope will come in the form of a highway that will lead us to the center of God's holy city , Jerusalem. 

The wilderness is a lonely, dry and forsaken place. Or as the Chinese saying goes, where even birds don't lay their eggs. A place where even animals and beasts don't exist. Much less humans.

So it is an absolute miracle when Isaiah says that these dead places actually begin to spring into life (v. 1-2). When what used to be a place of sadness and sorrow turns into a place of gladness and joy. In fact, it even turns into a glorious and majestic place of God.

Even more crazy, a highway of God appears (v. 8). Where even fools don't go astray. It is an absolutely safe place where the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord can walk (v. 9). Until they reach God's holy city of Jerusalem.

It is no coincidence that John the Baptist's purpose was to "prepare the Way of the Lord". While Jesus defined himself as the Way (John 14:6).

God's hope and work is to turn what is condemned by man as hopeless (wilderness, desert, the cross) into a place of hopeful joy and salvation.  

• REFLECT

   Although Christmas and the year end of usually filled with much joy and gladness, its also a time of sadness and sorrow for some. Another year where hopes and dreams were left unfulfilled. Another year where longings and desires were unmet. Another year where things only seemed to get worse.

  The light of hope of Jesus is meant to shine into these exact dark places. In places like the wilderness and desert where no life and hope exists, the light of God shines and shows a Way.

  Take time to reflect on the difficult and dark moments of 2022:

  1. What were 2 or 3 moments in 2022 when things felt terrible? How were you feeling and what led to those circumstances?

  2. Did you see and experience the light of Jesus in those times? Did the Lord provide a pathway for you to walk?

  3. As you prepare to enter into 2023, what is your heart’s prayer for those dark and difficult situations?

reading for: Thursday Night, 8 december

james 5:7-10

Patiently Waiting for Jesus

• READ

  What are we to do in difficult times? And what will enable us to be patient?

  In these 4 short verses, patience appears 4 times. Just as the farmer waits for the fruit that comes with rain, we too are called to also be patient (v. 7-8).

  Just as the prophets of old were patient in their suffering, we are also to be patient (v. 10). And more specifically, we are to avoid grumbling about our brothers/sisters, for judgment awaits all (v. 9).

  What are we patiently waiting for? His second coming. For His coming is near (v. 7-8). He is literally standing at the door (v. 9). Which is another way of saying He is really close!

  God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save and destroy (James 4:12).

• REFLECT

  What are we to do in difficult times? And what will enable us to be patient?

  In these 4 short verses, patience appears 4 times. Just as the farmer waits for the fruit that comes with rain, we too are called to also be patient (v. 7-8).

  Just as the prophets of old were patient in their suffering, we are also to be patient (v. 10). And more specifically, we are to avoid grumbling about our brothers/sisters, for judgment awaits all (v. 9).

  What are we patiently waiting for? His second coming. For His coming is near (v. 7-8). He is literally standing at the door (v. 9). Which is another way of saying He is really close!

  God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save and destroy (James 4:12).

reading for: Friday Night, 9 december

PSALM 146: 5-10

The Joyful Song of the Hopeful

• READ

  Happy, joyful and blessed are all who puts their hope and trust in the Lord (v. 5)

  Why?

  He is the Creator God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all living creatures (v. 6 cf. Genesis 1).

  To the oppressed, hungry and imprisoned, He frees, gives justice and feeds (v. 7)

  The blind, the weighed down too will be healed, they shall receive sight and will be lifted up (v. 8). For He loves those who seek Him.

  He protects the foreigners in a strange land, he cares for the most vulnerable orphans and widows. No plan of the wicked will ever be successful (v. 9).

  For the LORD reigns! He rules! He will forever be the God of those who put their trust and hope in Him. Any generation who turns to Him will experience this! (v. 10).

• REFLECT

  As you look back in 2022, how long and how often did you spend time singing and worshiping God? How often did you “pause in your day” to look to Him?

  We often think that its through intense study and reading of God’s word that we are anchored in Him. Though it is important,

  “Worship changes the worshiper into the image of the One worshiped"

  Jack Hayford

  Will you take time the next few days to spend time in praise and worship of Him?