DAY 100
Pastor Brandon Cotten
Scripture
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
-Luke 2:36-37
Today, Pastor Brandon Cotten reminds us that Advent is a season of active waiting as we prepare our hearts for our coming Messiah! A great example of active waiting is the story of the prophetess Anna in Luke 2:36-37. She was a widow, advanced in years, waiting for the Messiah to come. Verse 37 tells us that she did not depart from the temple as she worshipped, fasted, and prayed night and day. She knew God would send the Savior, and she sought God in the waiting through fasting and prayer.
Question: What are you doing this season that is actively waiting? Are you gathering with your family or close friends daily, reading God’s word and praying together?
Family Chat: As a family, commit to reading God’s Word together and praying together every night as a part of your daily routine as we actively wait and prepare for Christ’s return! And keep going with this practice through 2021, even in those moments when it’s tough to keep your kids focused!
Family Activity: Read the story of Jesus' birth together as a family, using Matthew 2, Luke 2, or a Children's picture Bible.
Prayer Starter: Jesus, thank You for the encouragement in Your Word about how Anna prayed and fasted, actively waiting for You to show up on the scene! We commit to seek You together and grow closer to You in our faith journey as a family for the remainder of this year and through next year, as well. We ask that You help us with this because the enemy will want to discourage us and distract us from You. We ask that You strengthen us to stand firm in our resolve to follow You wherever, whenever, and however You lead us!
Take Action: Spend some time this Christmas season inviting the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart for the coming year and give you an idea of what He'd like to disciple you in next.
For example, you can ask the Lord about: Growing stronger in hearing His voice; understanding who the Holy Spirit is, knowing how to share your faith; understanding what it means to have faith; standing stronger in your identity in Christ; growing deeper in knowing His Word; and strengthening your prayer life. Journal about it, pray about it, and set your heart to follow Him wherever He leads you! We are preparing for a season of Prayer and Fasting the first two weeks in January; we would love for you to join us in that! Text PRAYER to 501-200-3122 to join!
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