Weekly Prayer: A Prayer for Renewed Wonder at Christ’s Coming
Advent returns annually, and if we are not careful, we can find ourselves going through the motions without entering into the awe and wonder the season reveals.
The awe the shepherds felt as they hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger—and returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen (Luke 2:16, 20).
The awe Simeon encountered when he took the child in his arms and blessed God, declaring that his eyes had seen God’s salvation, just as He had promised (Luke 2:28–30).
The awe that drew wise men from afar to follow a star and fall down in worship before a King born not in a palace, but in humility (Matthew 2:1–2, 11).
I want my heart to be filled with that awe. I want to be left breathless by the wonder of Christ’s birth. And that can only happen if God’s grace falls upon me—if He opens my eyes, once again, to see His goodness, for “apart from Him we can do nothing” (John 15:5). Let’s pray:
WEEKLY PRAYER:
Father,
We thank You for the gift of Your Son, for the unveiling of Your salvation to the world in flesh. We thank You for remembering Your Word and for loving us enough to fulfill it, for as it is written, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
Open our eyes anew to see the beauty of Your plan revealed in Your Son and in this Advent season. Help us to celebrate and to worship in spirit and in truth. May we join with the angels who proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace” (Luke 2:14).
We receive again the gift of Your Son, the Prince of Peace, and we submit our hearts to His reign, for of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end (Isaiah 9:6–7).
May we offer to You and to Him the gift of our hearts once more. You and He are worthy of all praise and honor and glory. Amen.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
As Advent begins, where do you notice yourself moving quickly or routinely instead of slowing down to sit in wonder before Christ?
The shepherds responded with praise after encountering Jesus. How do you usually respond when God reveals His goodness to you in everyday moments?
Simeon trusted God’s promise through years of waiting. Where in your life are you being asked to trust that God will still do what He has spoken?
The wise men traveled far and humbled themselves in worship. What might God be inviting you to lay down in order to worship Him more fully this season?
Jesus entered the world in humility rather than power as the world defines it. How does this shape the way you understand God’s work in your own life right now?
The prayer asks God to open our eyes again. Where do you sense a need for renewed sight, gratitude, or faith?
What would it look like for you to receive Christ again this Advent, not simply as a memory of the past, but as a present and reigning King?
