Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day twelve. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide.
Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now.
[15 seconds of silence]
Now we’ll move on to our petitionary prayer. Today we’ll pray that God’s peace will rest on … … victims and veterans of war. Let’s take 25 seconds of silence to pray.
[25 seconds of silence]
Our Scripture reading today comes from Psalm 143:1–8.
It begins:
Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
We’ll close today by meditating on the phrase:
The enemy … makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead … I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.
Take a few moments now to meditate on the idea of thirsting for God like parched land when it feels like darkness surrounds you. The enemy … makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead … I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.
Our Concluding Prayer:
Creator, almighty and everlasting, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus my Lord. Amen