A Prayer about Waiting; A Prayer for Help

Today’s devotion comes from Ric VanderHaagen. It is in the form of a prayer. To understand this prayer and be able to pray it well, you should read through it once or twice before attempting to pray it sincerely. That way, you can understand the cadence (i.e., contrition about self followed by a petition of the Lord). In your initial reading, you might also read the Scriptures that inspire each prayer. Those Scriptures are listed at the bottom, below the prayer.

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Lord of Advent,

This is a time for anticipation, waiting, and reflection. You have called me to wait on You.¹ Yet, I confess I make a mess of this waiting by focusing on me instead of waiting on You.

I say, “Wait! I need to catch my breath.” … Lord, strengthen my efforts for Your Kingdom.²

I say, “Wait! I don’t get it.” … Lord, teach me Your ways so that I can understand Your reign.³

I say, “Wait! I can’t do everything at once.” … Lord, as I wait, quiet my heart. Help me to “be still, and know that You are God, exalted among the earth.”⁴

I say, “Wait, I’m not ready.” … Lord, prepare all of me—my body, mind, and spirit—for Your Kingdom.⁵

I say, “Wait! This isn’t where I thought this was going.” … Lord, humble me so that I can understand that Your Kingdom is where I long to be.⁶

I say, “Wait! That’s not what I wanted.” … O Lord, conform my desires to Yours.⁷

Lord of Advent, may Your Kingdom come!  Amen.

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1. Psalm 130:5-6, Proverbs 8:34
   • I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
         and in his word I put my hope.
     I wait for the Lord
         more than watchmen wait for the morning,
         more than watchmen wait for the morning.
   • Blessed are those who listen to me,
         watching daily at my doors,
         waiting at my doorway.
     
2. Isaiah 40:31
   • Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
         they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
     they shall run and not be weary,
         they shall walk and not faint.
     
3. Psalm 25:5
   • Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
         for you are the God of my salvation;
         for you I wait all day long.
     
4. Psalm 46:10
   • “Be still, and know that I am God!
         I am exalted among the nations,
         I am exalted in the earth.”
     
5. Mark 12:30
   • Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
     
6. Jeremiah 29:11
   • For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
     
7. Hosea 12:6
   • But as for you, return to your God,
         hold fast to love and justice,
         and wait continually for your God.