The Ache of a Momma’s Heart
Recently I came across a verse that hit deeply and made me pause. The words were directed to Mary, the brand new mother of the infant Jesus, from Simeon, a priest in the Temple in Jerusalem, when he met and held the newborn Messiah.
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (emphasis added) Luke 2:34-35
Simeon’s words were prophetic and held deep meaning as well as the promise of pain to a mother’s heart. “And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.” Can you imagine hearing that as you hold your week-old baby?
It was a harbinger of what Mary would face as the mother of the Messiah, destined to give His life on the cross, though she likely didn’t comprehend the devastating pain that would come. Jesus would be falsely accused, plotted against, betrayed, beaten, mocked, and then crucified. The many who swore their allegiance would turn away. Those that professed their love for Him would cool and grow indifferent. The sword that ultimately pierced His side would, in effect, pierce the very soul of the mother who loved Him beyond words, not just as her Son, but as her Savior and Lord. Pause for a moment and think about it. She would watch as her Son grew into manhood, into ministry, and into His role as Redeemer - the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8)
Mary didn’t know the resurrection would follow Jesus’ death, though He’d said as much. She only knew that her firstborn, the child of her heart and faith, was experiencing indescribable suffering. Imagine the torment of her heart. Imagine the deep ache and angst she carried as she watched Him endure. Imagine the crushed hopes and dreams. Mary could teach us a bit about being a mother. She endured in spite of the sword that pierced her very soul.
Here’s the thing. Mary knew she was the woman God chose to bring Jesus into this fallen world and that He wasn’t born for her alone. She was cognizant, from the start, that this child was chosen and holy. God had a purpose and plan. Mary might not have understood all that would unfold, but from the start, she believed and trusted God more than the voices and circumstances surrounding her.
It’s a good reminder. God chose us to be the parents of our children, whether by birth, adoption, or children of the heart. He ordained that relationship because it was His will and His plan. Nothing is by chance. Everything has a purpose. We know that with deep love, comes also the need for willingness to sacrifice, endure pain, suffer hardship, but also to delight in joy, and to accept the unexpected- both good and bad. God is Sovereign. Ultimately, as parents, we must also remember and be prepared that, “A sword will pierce your own soul, too.” Because loving another means enduring what may come and releasing our hopes and dreams for what God may design or allow. It can bring an ache that only the Lord can soothe.
The real question is, will we allow our deep ache to define us? Will we allow it to eclipse the Presence and power of the Lord in our own life? Mary didn’t. No, she trusted God fully, even when she didn’t understand. She stepped aside when it was time for Jesus’ ministry to begin. She didn’t demand that He remain at home. She didn’t try to engineer His next steps. She didn’t choose His friendships or His career path. She trusted God to guide His steps. She knew that He knew best and she was willing to trust Him and let Him have His way.
The wedding in Cana saw a shift in the mother-Son relationship. She stepped back and she encouraged others to do whatever Jesus told them to (John 2). We should take lessons from Mary. We need to encourage our children to do whatever Jesus tells them to and go where He leads…whether it keeps them close by or takes them around the world, whether it keeps them surrounded and safe or leaves them vulnerable and at risk in the path of danger. There is no better, or safer, place for our sons and daughters to be than in the will of the Lord, wherever that may be, whether in an office or in the line of duty. If we’re praying for a prodigal, we need to surrender them wholly to God, over and over, assuring our own aching heart that God is capable of saving them from their own rebellion and foolishness and that God must have His way because our way is limited and insufficient.
Godly parenting demands that we lean into and on the Lord, relying on His strength and guidance, otherwise we will crumble under the weight of what it requires from us. Consider this:
Mary trusted God more than she trusted her feelings.
She allowed God’s promises to assure her more than the circumstances surrounding her.
She believed God’s plan, though it may have been obscured, more than what she could see and experience around her.
She chose to find solace and comfort in God, even through the deepest, searing pain she knew as a mother, because she knew God was faithful and she trusted Him.
We don’t hear much about Mary after the crucifixion because, really, the story isn’t about her. She was God’s servant. She allowed herself to be used by God, placed in circumstances and surrounded by people who were all ordained to be part of Jesus’ story. And really, that’s our role in our children’s lives as well. We are here to guide, teach, support, and encourage them to follow Jesus. We are part of His story too, but we may need to step back and allow the Lord to do what He wills rather than engineer our own safe, successful outcome for our sons and daughters. It may not be safe. It may not be sweet. It may ask more of us that we are comfortable or willing to give. But here is the question, are we willing to trust the Lord? Are we willing to endure the sword to our soul in order to raise sons and daughters who give theirs to the Lord?
Let’s pray that the Lord uses that ache to pull us closer to Him, more fervent in prayer and more focused on eternal things.
“Oh, dear Father- the One who loves me more than I know, please soothe my aching heart today. I know that my aching heart is a symptom of my love for (name). But Lord, it can also be a result of a lack of trust. Lord, help me to surrender (name) to You and Your will. Give me confidence in Christ that wherever they go, whatever they do, they are not beyond Your protection and provision (Ps. 139). “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong and do not fear; your God will come,” Isa. 35:3-4a. I know You understand the ache of a parent’s heart, dear Lord, because You see your children in their foolishness and rebellion. You see them strut in pride and independence. You long to have a deep, abiding relationship with each of us. You know the ache, Lord. I pray that You would daily remind me when I feel the throb of Momma’s heart, that it be a reminder to get on my knees and talk with You. Lord, let it drive me to depend on You, lean into You, and trust You for (name)’s every moment, their protection and provision. Lord, help me to trust You more than my feelings that will lie, deceive, and distract me. Help me to cling to Your promises, not the hint of a changing tide or a glimmer of hope. Help me to trust Your plan and not engineer my own. Lord, help me to rest under the shadow of Your wings and find my safety in Your strong tower. You are The Almighty. You can do anything. I believe, Lord, help my unbelief. I lift (name) to You today and trust that You will work and accomplish Your will in their life for their good and for Your glory, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing
The Ultimate Desire
Fellowship with God is the core desire that we were designed to experience and pursue. It is the deepest longing and need we will ever know-whether or not we choose to acknowledge that fact. We experience this longing because God has set eternity in the hearts of men (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and that will always stir a deep desire for something more than this world can give us…it’s the desire for more of Him, more of His Presence and more of His peace.
But that we recognize it as a longing for God isn’t guaranteed. Too often we strive to fill that longing with inadequate substitutes that cannot satisfy our hearts, our souls, and we struggle because of it. We wrestle with restlessness. We wander trying to find our purpose. We pursue the ‘next thing’ assuring ourselves that will be the answer. We continue to pursue temporal things to fill that God-desire in us, Even believers are duped into the deception of the futile pursuit of satisfaction by other means.
Before we came to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, “we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world” Galatians 4:3. But when we confessed with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we moved from eternal death to eternal life (Romans 10:9). And in that confession and belief, something in our heart, mind, and spirit changed. God placed His Spirit in us. “Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father” Galatians 4:6. And we began a relationship with God, unlike any we knew or experienced before. We began to experience the fulfillment of that longing that was set in our hearts from the time God created us.
“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13.
God designed us to desire a relationship with Him. Once we realize nothing else fills us and completes us like Jesus can and does, we are compelled to pursue more of Him. But if we turn back and pursue other means to fill that longing, our spirit still cries out for our Abba Father. We cannot run from it.
The world tells us to pursue what will fill us and make us happy. The job. The relationship. The ‘things’. Renovate, redecorate, relocate. Move up, move out, move on. But what the world offers will never fulfill that eternal longing, because the world doesn’t possess the means, power, and resources to fill what only God can. “For this world in its present form is passing away” 1 Corinthians 7:29.
This is Satan’s biggest lie- that we can satisfy the longing of our hearts with the things of this world- lesser things, things that are not God. And when we pursue that, we are dissatisfied, frustrated, and disillusioned. The result is that we often turn and rail at God because we are unhappy, lost, hurting, and unfulfilled. We blame Him for our discontent when we’ve tried to soothe it with everything but Him.
HE is all we need. ALL we need. Any attempt to fill ourselves with anything else will always result in frustration and emptiness.
“The Lord knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile” Psalm 94:11.
So, how can we fulfill that desire? Read Colossians 1: 9-12
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
Take Action:
Be filled with the knowledge of His will- study His word and get to know it. The more we read Scripture, the more it sinks deeply into our heart, soul, and mind. We must allow our spirit to run freely in the environment it was created to- in the Presence of the Most High God. Our spirit cannot thrive when it’s seeking life from a source that is spiritually malnourished or empty of the things of God.
Cultivate spiritual wisdom. This comes when we spend consistent time in God’s word (see #1) and we begin to grow ‘smart’ in the things of Scripture. Our heart and head align in the context of the wisdom of God because we are saturating our mind with truth.
Desire and pursue understanding. The word ‘understanding’ in Greek is ‘synesis’ and it means “a mental putting together” (1). In other words, when we understand, we begin to perceive and interpret correctly; we connect the precepts, truths, and council of Scripture and understand how God reveals Himself through it. We begin to see how Scripture supports itself. God’s word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).
Live a life worthy of the Lord. We have to make the conscious choice to put ourselves aside and live for Him. If we are forever pursuing our own happiness, we will be exhausted in the pursuit- it’s a perpetual cycle that goes nowhere and achieves nothing of eternal satisfaction. We will continue to be dissatisfied, disillusioned and unfulfilled. We must seek Him. “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
Who or what are we allowing to govern our mind? Pursue life. Pursue Peace. Pursue Jesus. Sit at His feet. Let Him speak into your soul. Live for Him and allow Him to fill that which is lacking in you. You will know a deep satisfaction and a fellowship like no other. You will be filled.
”Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.”Psalm 73:25-26
Take time in prayer that God would fill you with a desire for more of Him and would guide you in pursuit of that relationship. Then, pray for others to do the same. Pray for your family, your sons and daughters. Pray for your loved ones. Pray for your church and the global church at large. Pray for those in ministry. Satan wants nothing more than to have God’s people seeking that which will not satisfy and living in frustration because God isn’t fulfilling their misdirected desires.
Prayer is never pointless and it brings us to the Throne of the One who can effect change and bring all things under His Lordship where we can delight in fellowship with the One who made us.
Pray without ceasing.
G4907 - synesis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4907/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G2556 - kakos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2556/niv/mgnt/0-1/
Testing the Narrative
Philippians 1:20-21 “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
As we watch events unfold globally, it’s both interesting and disturbing to see how often one side will choose to spin information in an effort to deceive and gain sympathy from those who will listen and believe the lies. The deception is often an effort to undermine the ‘underdog’ - those who are weaker and whose cause is often in the right, those who are defending their country and people. But the aggressor creates a narrative about the conflict in an effort to gain (or keep) the upper hand, to sway or intimidate others into support….or silence. Despite the fact that pictures and first-hand accounts of the victims are clear evidence against them, the aggressor continues to spin the story. They go as far as to celebrate their criminal actions and unjust ‘victories’.
Unfortunately, there are always some who believe the lies. Those supporters are convinced their leader is right and justified. They choose to listen to the narrative and they don’t look with discretion and critical thinking at the bigger picture that gives evidence of unjustified aggression, intentional deception, and a warped agenda. For those who stand apart, it’s easier to see the deep deception, but for those who are entrenched and surrounded, it’s blurry and difficult to discern.
Friends, this could be describing current events…but it can also describe spiritual warfare. Isn’t it interesting that both have similar qualities? Could it be that what we’re seeing play out in the news has a deeper, more sinister source and agenda? It seems so.
We live in a time when prophecy is unfolding. Current events are beginning to mirror scripture. It’s thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. What is it that God calls us to do? What is our role? Friends, we need to take an eternal view. We need to see the scope and nature of what is happening and understand that God is weaving His story and we are a part of it all. He doesn’t call us to build a bunker, hoard food and prepare for nuclear Armageddon. We already know Who wins and we need to rest secure in that knowledge! We need to step up and put our fear aside. We need to look, with clear eyes, at what our role needs to be. God is calling us to be salt and light to a world in desperate need of a Savior. We have work to do! Too many believe the deceptive narrative of the enemy. Satan is deceiving image-bearers and drawing them toward eternal death. It’s his agenda and his goal and he’s busy about his business.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8
As parents, we see what is happening and it’s not difficult to begin to fear the possibilities. We want, more than anything, to protect our sons and daughters from harm. We want to see them prosper and grow. We want to ensure their safety. We don’t want to imagine the ‘what ifs’, but as we watch and see what’s happening, we tend to think that way. But that way of thinking can become our ‘undoing’. And our fear can potentially hold our sons and daughters back from leaning in to obey the Lord and His call for their life. We don’t want to be a barrier.
As we read through Scripture, we see that God often uses young people in mighty ways by placing them in hard situations. Think about Daniel- taken hostage, led to a foreign country, impressed into the King’s service, learning a new language, new customs and, yet, mightily used by God to impact not only the nation of Israel, but the Kingdom of Babylon too. Then, there are his friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They refused to compromise; they refused to bow to an idol. They knew that obedience to God had eternal blessings versus giving way to the King for a temporary moment of safety. Friends, there are SO many examples: Joseph, David, Ruth, Jeremiah, the list goes on and on. And then, there’s Esther., about whom Mordecai said “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Perhaps God is raising up our sons and daughters for such a time as this.
God may bring difficult times ahead. And He may call our sons and daughters to do hard things. Are we ready? Are we willing to stand for Truth? Are we willing to pray that our sons and daughters choose Jesus over a moment of safety? Can we authentically pray Philippians 1:20-21 for them?
“I eagerly expect and hope that (name) will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in (name)’s body, whether by life or by death. For to (name), to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:20-21
That’s a difficult prayer, isn’t it? So, how do we do this. How can we wrap our parent-hearts around what may come and yet, pray with peace, ‘Thy will be done”?
First, we need to pray that our sons and daughters evade deception. This is a battle of the heart and mind, and victory is gained through having firm wisdom and knowledge of Jesus. They ARE fighting an enemy, every day. Do we pray as if they are?
“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”
Ephesians 1:16-17
It’s important that we pray that our sons and daughters are alert to the nature of deception and how Satan works. Pray that they are not led astray, but stand firm in Jesus with an undistracted, undivided heart.
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.”
2 Corinthians 11:3-4
Next, we need to pray that our sons and daughters have keen discretion to identify false teaching, a false Spirit and a false Jesus. They’re out there friends, and they’re dangerous. They ‘sound good’. There is just enough truth to woo the unsuspecting mind. There is a smattering of ‘love’ to soothe the hurting heart. There is false hope that is dished out in plentiful portions, until the deception takes hold and the enemy rejoices. It’s dangerous and we’re not immune. Our sons and daughters are prey for the enemy and they’re headed to the front lines.
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Matthew 24:24
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4
We need to ask the Lord to give our sons and daughters a strong grasp of Biblical knowledge and wisdom so they can test what they see and hear against the Truth of Scripture. Pray that they are always alert and on guard, ready to battle the enemy. Pray that they understand it’s not about ‘checking the boxes’ but living authentically. And friends, as parents we need to be intentional to live out that truth without compromise.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:1-4
Finally, we must pray that our sons and daughters are ‘sold out’ for Christ. Pray that they value their relationship with Him and the promise of eternity over comfort and pleasure in this temporary life. Yes, I know, we’re praying hard things. We don’t want to imagine where this might lead, yet scripture tells us we will face hard times.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33b
Are we expending our energy and targeting our focus and worry on the “what if” or are we fully investing our hope and trust in What IS - the Great I Am, the First and the Last, the Eternal One. Intentional, targeted Scriptural prayer is the key that we must grab onto and not let go.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
Will we choose to pursue peace in Christ or allow our earth-bound focus to stir turmoil in our hearts by putting too much focus on the events and direction of this world? Hard times may come. Our faith may be tested. We need to love the Lord more than life itself, because He is the Giver of Life.
So how do we shift our focus? We need to pray that God would help us to have a “Hannah Heart”, a willingness to allow our sons and daughters to serve the Lord, wherever He may lead them…and to trust that He will care and keep them and use them for His glory.
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.”
1 Samuel 1:27-28
It’s daunting to consider what may come. But we KNOW our God is sovereign and there is nothing that will happen that is out of His control. We need to trust Him. We can absolutely trust Him- He is Faithful and True.
Let’s pray with great commitment. And let’s not only pray over this in the coming week, but in the days, weeks and months ahead. God is working, but so is the enemy. We can’t grow complacent or comfortable. We, and our sons and daughters, must always test the narrative to determine whether it is of God or of the enemy. Pray without ceasing, friends.
“Father, you see the turmoil in our world…and in our hearts. What we see is distressing and sometimes it sinks so deeply into our hearts and minds that we’re distracted, disturbed and distressed. Our focus becomes our worry and fear and our efforts shift to ‘fixing’ and ‘protecting’. Help us to get our focus back onto You- to take every thought captive and bring it into obedience to Christ. Whether our sons and daughters are walking a hard path because of their profession, or because of their life choices, You are capable of defeating the enemy that threatens them physically and spiritually. Lord, You are mighty to save. Help me to rest in that. Help me to remember that He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Remind me that You will cover them with your feathers and under Your wings they will find refuge. You will be their shield of defense and their rampart of offense. Your power can protect them so much more than my worry. Lord, I pray that they would be fully committed to Jesus, serving Him faithfully without wavering. Help them to identify deception and not fall victim to false teaching and those who would lure them from You. Protect them Lord. Make them mighty followers of You. Use them for Your glory and help me to pray faithfully. Bind my heart to Yours, Lord, so that I trust without wavering. Please help each of us to love You, the Giver of Life, more than this temporary life. You are our King and Savior. Keep us faithful, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Are you questioning where you stand with God? Do you want peace and assurance that your eternity is secure? Do you want to know more about having a personal relationship with Jesus? Reach out! I would love to talk with you and share how to have hope in Jesus Christ!
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 10:9-11
The Light of the World
Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.”
As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth this month, we are going to focus on the names of Jesus spoken in prophecy, mostly those mentioned in Isaiah 9:6. Each day we’ll have a Christmas Season prayer challenge in addition to our prayer points for our sons and daughters. But let’s start with Jesus as the Light of the World and how that speaks to our need and His provision.
When we think about light, we might consider how our sun gives such radiant light, that nothing can really compare to it. When we wake up and see the sun is out, it illuminates everything and we can see clearly. Oh, we’ve created artificial light that is powerful and pierces the dark, yet it can never match the fullness nor the comprehensive light provided by the sun. Have you ever driven by a highway crew working at night? The powerful lights pierce the darkness, yet they are no comparison to daylight. They still do not offer the fullness of light that daytime brings. They just cannot reproduce that all-encompassing light that drives away the dark. Any other light is just an insufficient, incomplete imitation that can’t even come close. The daylight brings everything into perspective and drives the dark away. That is a beautiful picture of Jesus and the spiritual freedom and release that He brings. Jesus is the Light of the World.
When scripture talks about “People walking in darkness”, we can picture it. People walking slowly, unable to really see what is around them, perhaps stumbling or walking without purpose.. In the darkness there is danger, obstacles and pitfalls that cannot be seen. The darkness hides those with ill intent, wanting to do harm or commit crime. Darkness itself is a metaphor for everything evil, for everything associated with Satan.
Strong’s Concordance defines darkness ‘hosek’ in the Hebrew, as “darkness, obscurity, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow and wickedness.”(1) There is nothing and no one in this world that can conquer that list. No one but God. Why would we think otherwise? Well, that’s part of the deception of the Enemy. He leads us to believe we can find light, meaning, happiness, restoration, life, wisdom, joy and goodness in anything but Jesus. That’s the great lie and that’s part of the darkness itself.
So when scripture says “People walking in darkness” it’s a very apt metaphor that gives a clear picture of what the human spiritual condition is without Jesus. Without Christ, there is no light; there is no ability to see and perceive spiritual wisdom and no way to have spiritual freedom. But scripture doesn’t just leave it there, it continues saying, the people walking in darkness have seen a great light…. What a powerful, hopeful statement! Jesus is the light of the world and He alone came to shine into the darkness and redeem those wandering without hope and without light. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light (Jesus).”
As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, let’s ponder the significance of His entry into this world and what His presence brought to all of mankind. He chose to leave heaven and enter this sinful world so that He could bring light and life to all who would believe. John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
Friends, today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters realize, without a doubt, that Jesus is the Light of the World and in Him they will find life, redemption, forgiveness and purpose. Pray that they will gain an eternal perspective because Jesus’ light dawns in their hearts and minds. And today’s Christmas Season challenge? Choose one person at random, maybe at a traffic light sitting in the car ahead of you, or standing in the checkout line at the store and pray that they would come to know Jesus as the Light of the World, their Savior and Redeemer.
Pray without ceasing.
H2822 - ḥōšeḵ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2822/kjv/wlc/0-1/