Advent is the 4-week period of time prior to Christmas where many Christians enter into a season of waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent simply means “the coming” or “the arrival.” During Advent we anticipate the coming of Jesus and the message of peace that he offers to our broken world.
Our world disappoints us, (friends/family/politicians) but in Advent we are given a promise that there is one who is coming that will not disappoint. Christ is given as God’s full display of love and grace for His creation. In Advent we anticipate the fullness of God’s love coming to earth in a very personal way, in His son.
As we celebrate His coming we are also reminded that He will come again to make all things new for all eternity. Advent reminds us that through our relationship with the coming Christ we are complete, and that one day our world will be made whole when He comes again.
While our culture uses this season to bombard us with messages of consumerism, business and stress God offers us a better way…a way of peace and hope. A way that orientates our hearts on the good news of God’s Kingdom and the salvation that is now available for all who choose to believe and trust in Jesus.
This Prayer Experience is designed to help your Life Group focus on the key components of the Advent season. It is our hope that this experience will serve as a springboard for your group to consider what it could mean to enter into this season differently and ultimately express lives of hope, peace, joy and love. Schedule time with your life group (we recommend 1 – 3 hours) to do this experience together. Find a space where you can be free of distraction and unhindered to focus on God’s spirit through His word and prayer.
This experience follows an Up, In, and Out movement of prayer designed to help guide your time together. During this prayer experience you will be lead to…
Look Up // By focusing first on the greatness and goodness of God.
Go Deeper In // Into God’s truth and what it reveals about who He is, and who He is calling us to become.
Pray Out // That His kingdom would come to transform our hearts and the world around us.
Section 1: Looking Up // (10 – 20 minutes, All together)
All things begin first with God… His glory, majesty and power. Begin by simply looking to Him and acknowledging His worth above all things. Read the following passages one at a time, allowing for space and responsive prayer after each.
- Scripture Reading 1: Psalm 34
- Silent Reflection and Responsive Group Prayer
- Scripture Reading 2: Psalm 145
- Silent Reflection and Responsive Group Prayer
- Scripture Reading 3: Luke 1:46-46
- Silent Reflection ad Responsive Group Prayer
Section 2: Deeper In // (25 – 45 minutes, Individually)
In prayer we are led by the Holy Spirit to look deeper in. Deeper into the truth of His word and deeper into our own hearts as He reveals to us those areas that we have attempted to hide away from His view and the view of others. Take time to allow him to speak by His word and spirit.
1. Read: Don’t give in to the temptation to simply glance over these passages, some of which may be very familiar to you. Take time to read them and in turn allow them to read you. You may find it helpful to read each passage a few times pausing each time before reading and asking God to speak the truth of each word to your heart.
2. Reflect: After reading allow time and space to reflect or ponder in your heart what you have just read. Allow God’s word to become His word to you and illuminate the deep truth of the text by the Holy Spirit.
3. Pray: After you’ve read and reflected on the passage move on to prayer. Through your spoken and written word dedicate the truth of His word to Him in your heart.
4. Contemplate: Then contemplate on the truth of what has been revealed through His word. God speaks… take time, listen, wait and rest in the reality of His presence and the fullness of His love.
- Scripture Reading 1: Isaiah 35:1-10, Isaiah 40:1-9, Isaiah 52:7-10
- Silent Reflection
- Responsive Prayer/Journaling
- Scripture Reading 2: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-21, Luke 4:14-13
- Silent Reflection
- Responsive Prayer/Journaling
- Scripture Reading 3: Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, James 5:7-10
- Silent Reflection
- Responsive Prayer/Journaling
Section 3: Praying Out // (15 – 30 minutes, All together)
Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” We live in the tension of two worlds, the age that is now (our world), and the age that is to fully come, but has already begun to breakthrough (the Kingdom of Heaven).
Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of Heaven is not something or someplace else we wait for but that it is a present reality that we can experience now! This is why we pray for broken things to be made right, for the sick to be healed and for the oppressed in mind, body, and spirit to be set free. The Kingdom has come and it is bringing life! It is with this understanding that we pray for ourselves, others and the world around us.
Suggested Points Of Prayer
- Our loved ones and relatives who do not know Christ
- That our hearts would be stirred for the broken and outcast
- The sick
- Our church community
- Our families, friends, neighbors, and for those who are alone
- For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression
Debrief And Next Steps
Allow time for group discussion after the experience to consider the following questions…
- How did God speak to you during the experience?
- Was there one particular word or theme that stood out to you?
- Where in your life do you need to be reminded of the hope found in Jesus?
- How might God be calling you to express hope to those around you this season?
- What could it look like for your group to Celebrate Different during the holidays this year?
Celebrate Different 2013
This initiative of Mariners Church has been set up to help groups and individuals find ways to celebrate different during this holiday season. Visit celebratediffernt.org to discover opportunities to give, serve and love in ways that represent thankfulness for all that God has done.