We run our website the way we wished the whole internet worked: we provide high quality original content with no ads. We are funded solely by your direct support. Please consider supporting this project.

Let Us Pray

First Advent and first candle is lit

Per Ola Wiberg via Compfight

It’s appropriate to pray and reflect and run to God when tragedies like the one in Newtown, CT take place. We wanted to share a couple of things we found helpful around the blogosphere as we struggle through our sadness.

T.C. Moore shared some thoughts on Darkness, Advent, and Newtown CT on his blog. Really helpful perspective.

From the article:

Advent isn’t a pill we take to quickly forget the darkness, or ignore the darkness. No, Advent grants us the space to dwell in-between tragedy and deliverance. It gives us time to reflect, feel the weight of the pervasive darkness in this world, and hope for a Savior to come into the world and rescue us. It is a reminder that though the Savior has come, and Jesus is that Savior, we still live in-between his Advent into the world and his Return to shine his light on darkness—destroying it forever.

Until then, we pray, we grieve, we remember, and we hope.

And here are some prayers from David Smith to help us to focus our hearts towards healing and compassion.

Let us pray.

Related Reading

Lord Willing? Part 3

In this final segment of Greg’s discussion with Jessica Kelley about her book Lord Willing?, Jessica talks about how to respond to someone who is grieving or in crisis. You can find part 1 here and part 2 here. We’re so grateful that Jessica took the time to share her story with us. We know…

Hearing and Responding to God: Part 3

We decided to change the title of this series to better reflect it’s content. Hope that’s not confusing. Greg continues his thoughts here on hearing when God speaks to us and being willing to respond even when we’re not completely certain. You can view parts one and two here and here.

A Blessing for Ash Wednesday

 Sarah (Rosenau) Korf via Compfight For those of you observing the Lenten season (and for those of you who are not), we thought we would share this poem by Jan Richardson. Rend Your Heart A Blessing for Ash Wednesday To receive this blessing, all you have to do is let your heart break. Let it…

Prayer: Partnering with God

What is prayer? What does it mean to pray? If love is the ultimate goal of our relationship with God, and love is founded upon communication, then it would make sense that God would put a premium on prayer. But prayer is not about figuring out what needs to happen and then asking God to do…

Does Prayer Really Make a Difference?

I know the traditional cliché that prayer is for our sake, not God’s. It changes us, not God, or God’s plans. Even C .S. Lewis said that! I have the greatest admiration for Lewis, but on this account I think he is dead wrong. Prayer does certainly change us, but that’s not why we’re told…

Prayer When You’re Anxious

The following is adapted from a prayer exercise that Greg wrote for his book, Present Perfect. If you’re feeling anxious today (or even if you’re not anxious at all) we encourage you to spend a little time with it.  As you read this, remind yourself that the only thing that ultimately matters is that you are submerged…