Listen

Lord God of heavenly forces, how long will you fume against your people’s prayer? You’ve fed them bread made of tears; you’ve given them tears to drink three times over! You’ve put us at odds with our neighbors; our enemies make fun of us. Restore us, God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!

Psalm 80:4-7

Think

We walk into the season of Advent and enter into the darkness. Quite literally, the nights are at their longest this time of year. In a metaphorical way, the world can be a harsh place and our lives are not always joy-filled. This can be difficult to face. Advent is a season that invites us to recognize our own shortcomings as humans and our deep need for God’s love.

The Psalmist knows this. We hear our own voice and our own needs reflected in the words petitioning to see God and asking for God’s salvation. The darkness of the world and of our own lives calls out for God to make us whole. We cry out, “Restore us, God!” because it is God’s face shining brightly that transforms us and brings us to new life.

What parts of your life are you finding difficult to face today? What parts of your life do you want God to restore, to heal, to make new? What do you hope for?

Erendira Jimenez

Pray

O God of Hope, I am reminded today of how much I need your love. Only you can make me whole. Heal the parts of my life that have turned away from you. Help me to trust you in this work today. Amen.

Go

May God’s face shine upon you.

May God’s hope bring you wholeness.

And may you walk this day towards the light of a small star.