Let’s pray with Mary in Luke 1:46-53 today:
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Yes Lord, yes! Today we stop and praise You. You hold the storehouses of snow and cover miles and miles with inches of millions of exquisite flakes. And in the midst of all that, You find the sparrow a safe place to sleep. You move the winds that can stop our best technology in its tracks. You can thwart the strongest nation with a storm. You can melt the hardest heart. And Your love covers people of all nations, of all ages.
for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me–holy is his name.
The Mighty One who turns the stars also knows and sees and loves the poorest child in the most forgotten hovel. You have done such great things for us.
Holy is Your name! This is a sacred time, and we bow before Your throne.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
Forgive us, Lord, for when we don’t fear You. For when we lose sight of You in our quest for the perfect holiday. For when we endlessly think of self. Thank You for Your mercy. You know our inmost thoughts, our hearts.
And You have done mighty deeds for us, for our country, for our soldiers. Thank You, Lord, for communities of friends, for battles won, for planes of warriors returning home safely, for a land of resources, for this nation.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
Lord, we pray for peace in this world. No one wants it more than You. No one knows the pain of the children more than You. We long for when You come again. Help us to do Your work–feeding the hungry, lifting the broken, freeing the prisoners. We pray for your workers on the battlefield, in the classroom, in the home, in the chapels, in the barracks.
