As we collectively enter this season of Advent,
waiting for Christ’s coming,
we make room to acknowledge the ache of our longings:
…maybe the anguish of deferred or denied desires,
…or the salty, bitter, and often solitary tears of unrelenting sorrow,
…or the vague knowing that there must be something more.
How we long we long to be seen and companioned by God in our suffering tinged waiting for Christ’s coming and his restoration of all things.
Hold fast, dear one
to the One who holds fast to you
bringing salvation, wholeness, and new life.
In prayer, we do not wait alone.
We wait together.
This is my simple prayer…
Restore us, O God.
Not just me.
Not just them.
Restore Us.
We, your people, need your face to shine upon us.
Restore us to wholeness.
You alone can make us whole again.
That we might be free to love, care and act as you.
Amen.
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NLT)
Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might; come and save us.
Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
How long, Lord God Almighty,
will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.
Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
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