Sunday, December 17, 2023: Third Sunday of Advent

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 

Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.

God, we want to do Your will! We want to live in Christ Jesus, in what You have for us. This includes rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances. Please empower us by Your Spirit to do these things! As we do, we trust that You will empower us not to quench the Spirit or despise Your word as it comes to us. 

God of Peace, sanctify us completely. Lord Jesus Christ, keep our spirits and bodies blameless until Your return. You are faithful—You will surely do what You have said You will do. We trust You as we wait. Amen.

And again:

Isaiah 61:1-4 

1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

   because the LORD has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

   He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,

   and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

…

11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,

   and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise

   to sprout up before all the nations.

Lord GOD, thank You for Your Spirit that anoints Your people. Please anoint every believer in the Buddhist world to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim true liberty that You offer to those bound by spiritual strongholds and held captive by the enemy. Anoint Your people to proclaim Your favor, joy, hope, rest, peace, restoration, and justice. Please open Buddhists’ hearts and minds to receive these good things from You. Lord GOD, please cause Your righteousness and praise to sprout up before all nations! Amen.