Quick to Listen, Quick to Love: A Christmas Recipe for Every Family

Reflection

Greetings prayer partner,

We want to begin this devotional by reminding you that we have been praying for you. Please pause for a moment and let that thought encourage you. In the moments of crisis, chaos, and even celebrations throughout the year, we are lifting you up, pouring out intercession for you and being filled with all joy and peace knowing that our Heavenly Father knows you and loves you even more than we do.

We are honored and delighted when you share your life with us, prayer partner! Our hearts leap when you share a prayer request, glory story or how God discipled you through one of our articles, prayer guides or text series. Thank you!

We were made to love God and love one another with His love, and we treasure you as more than prayer partners but as family – our forever, eternal family, and we wanted to remind you that you are loved, and you are in our prayers. Let that soak in one more time and hold on to the memory of how you feel knowing you are loved and covered in prayer.

As the holidays approach you probably have people in your life who need to hear that you love them and pray for them. The world can be a cruel place where people yell at you through bullhorns or bully you on social media. Imagine how difficult it must be to go to class, work or even church and feel like you don’t measure up or belong. The past few years have left America divided and weary, but the one place that we have some control over is our own homes and certainly over our own words.

We pray that your home is a place of refuge and peace filled with the presence of God and people who let you know you are loved and appreciated. Receiving affirmation, affection and appreciation in words and deeds are life-giving. As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to represent Him and His Kingdom with fruitful words full of joy and gentleness, kindness and patience, love and goodness. Our words reflect what is inside of us, flourishing with hope and faithfulness because we belong to a faithful, loving, powerful God.

“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

James 1:19-20

As you prepare to spend time with family and friends this holiday season, we encourage you to be quick to listen, quick to love, and as our Scripture prompted, leave anger locked outside and completely out of the conversation.

Let the space under your roof or at the dinner table be a safe space where they can share or just sit with you and know that they are loved. Taking time to listen, really listen, with our ears and our heart filled with Christ’s compassion which will draw our loved ones closer to us, give them a safe place to pour out their hearts, and empowers your prayers to fervently and effectively, “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled.” Let peace on earth begin with you.

Prayer Partner, will you please join me in prayer?

Lord, we enter Your presence with thanks and praise. Thank You for reassuring us in Your Word that You listen to us, You love us, and You never leave us. We pour out the names of our family to You and can be filled with all joy and peace knowing You love them even more than we do. Help us to listen, not lecture; empower us as encouragers, giving more affirmation than advice, more smiles and hugs that show our hope that abounds in us through Your Spirit. Please protect those that I love from being bullied, worried or weary and may my attitude, words and deeds draw my family closer together and especially closer to You. Thank You for You love! In the mighty, wonderful name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

The Perfect Holiday Gift – An Art Print of the 2025 Theme Art!

The 2025 Theme is Here!

Download your copy of the 2025 theme art, as we call our nation to pray and ‘Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled’!

Did You Catch the 2024 Broadcast?

If you missed the 2024 Broadcast, we would love for you to still pray with us, by watching the broadcast on your own, with your Bible study, prayer partner, or church!