Yesterday, we started the Advent season, which helps us to prepare for the Christmas celebration of God living among us to show us the way of life and to reconcile us with God. This year, we will focus on learning to wait patiently for the Lord. Before Christmas Day, God's people waited for Jesus' first arrival (Advent means arrival). Now, after the original Christmas Day, we wait for Jesus' second arrival. We learn how to wait from the Hebrew prophets and the New Testament Church.

On Sunday, we explored what the Psalmist said about waiting in Psalm 37. He reminds us that waiting on the Lord is not passive but quite active. To wait on the Lord is to trust in, delight in, commit to, and be still before the Lord. You can watch or listen to the service by clicking here. 

We were all challenged to practice waiting on the Lord by slowing down for 10 minutes every day during Advent to review the day with God. God is patient, so we can learn patience by hanging with the Lord. He is the most patient of all (2 Peter 3). Here is the basic outline for your 10 minutes. It is also attached in a different format. 

Reviewing the Day

• Be still for a moment. Breathe deeply.
• Ask the Spirit to lead you in peace and wisdom.
• Remember the last 24 hours from waking up to going to sleep. Watch the day like it was a video. As you reflect, you may pray for patience, forgiveness, greater love, courage, or other virtues.
  • Reflect on the commitments of your heart throughout the day.
  • Celebrate the commitments to Jesus.
  • Confess the times you didn’t.
  • Receive Jesus' forgiveness.
• As you continue through the scenes of the day, some may bring gratitude, and others regret. Speak to the Lord about these different times. You may pray for the various people you encountered.
  • Give attention to your impatience with other people.
  • Give attention to temptations to be dishonest.
  • Ask for the Spirit’s help to grow patience within you.
  • Rejoice in the times you were patient and honest.  
• If you have difficulty praying verbally, use a notebook to write your prayers and reflections on the day before the Lord.
• End with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s provision, direction, mercy, and love. If it is the end of the day, pray for restful sleep; if it is the beginning of the day, pray for an awareness of God’s presence throughout the day.  

Grace and Peace, 

Drew