10 things for which I’m praying during Advent…

Last updated on: December 1, 2012 at 9:35 am by Richard Dahlstrom

10 things for which I’m praying during Advent… 2012-12-01T09:35:13-07:00 Richard Dahlstrom

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

10 things I’m praying for this Advent…

Posted on November 10, 2010

Advent season is here, and I offer this re-print from an earlier year. I’ll share later this week, from Germany where I’m teaching this week.

A favorite listen for this season comes from Sara Grove’s Live Prison tour music, – I listen to Sara sing, “Star of Wonder, star of light, star of royal beauty bright…guide us…o guide us…o guide us.”

With Sara, I call out in prayer to our Lord this Christmas season – guide us – o guide us:

1. to be quick to confess sin and slow to accuse

2. to be quick to listen and slow to pontificate

3. to compassion, not cynicism; to hope not resignation

4. to wisdom and peace

5. to generosity (the sacrificial kind) and laughter

6. to see with the eyes of faith

7. to love well – honestly, with compassion, mercy, and humility. With truth telling, and courage as well.

8. through the mazes of confusion and consumerism, lust and fear, loneliness and discouragement, that so easily oppress us.

9. into the best, very best use of the precious moments that are our days, for there is no activity in the grave where we’re going.

10. so that, little be little, we become more like you Jesus.

I think, in this season of withdrawing and leaning into our longings, of the words of my friend Dietrich Bonheoffer: “Unless we have the courage to fight for a revival of wholesome reserve between man and man, we shall perish in an anarchy of human values… . Socially it means the renunciation of all place-hunting, a break with the cult of the “star,” an open eye both upwards and downwards, especially in the choice of one’s more intimate friends, and pleasure in private life as well as courage to enter public life. Culturally it means a return from the newspaper and the radio to the book, from feverish activity to unhurried leisure, from dispersion to concentration, from sensationalism to reflection, from virtuosity to art, from snobbery to modesty, from extravagance to moderation.”

What are you praying for this Advent?

Previous Post

November 28, 2012

The Keymaker - and the keys to peace and joy

Next Post

December 3, 2012 A Word for Advent: "Do not be afraid"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category body bridges church coffee with God Creation exhaling generosity Inhaling intimacy inviting justice leadership life questions Rest and Sabbath Reviews Rule of Life Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 August 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz