The time sandwiched between Thanksgiving and Christmas in modern times seems to have been taken over by the retail world. It starts off with a bang on Black Friday (the big shopping event the day after Thanksgiving) and is then measured by how many shopping days are left until Christmas. Newspapers often have the countdown on the front page of the paper—just to make sure you buy all your gifts in time.

I think it’s about time we redeem this time and use it as God intended us to. In the Christian calendar, this time is called Advent. Did you know that it is actually the start of the new calendar year for the Christian calendar? While I’m sure that many of us are familiar with Advent, I know in my life it has often been overshadowed by the busyness of December.

How can we recapture some of the purposes of Advent that God intended for this time?

First, let’s look at what Advent means. The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus and it means “coming” or “arrival.” In Advent, we are to focus on the coming of Jesus as Messiah. Traditionally, the music, scripture readings and prayers of Advent have focused not only on Jesus’ coming to earth as a baby, but also includes a focus on Jesus’ eventual second coming.  That is why an Advent devotional includes scriptures from both the Old Testament about the birth of the Messiah and New Testament scriptures about Jesus’ second coming.

God designed this time of Advent for us to prepare our own hearts for our Savior. We can celebrate His birth, and we can look forward to His return to Earth. So, practically in the busyness of the season, how can we go about preparing our hearts?

• Introspection. Advent is a good time for introspection. Prayerfully ask God what needs to go—in your heart, in your life—so that you have room for the Savior. We don’t want to be like all the innkeepers in Bethlehem who had no room for the Savior. What do we need to weed out so that we have the time to spend with Jesus this Advent? Can you make room in your schedule so that each morning or evening you take some time to pray, read and prepare your heart for Jesus?
• Advent wreath. Can you do add some Advent activities to do with your family? One suggestion would be to have an Advent wreath on your kitchen table and light a candle on each of the Sundays of Advent and on Christmas Eve. Have a family member read a verse of scripture as the candle is being lit and then share a prayer together.
• Jesse tree. How about making a Jesse tree with your children? Click on this link for information on how to do this: Jesse Tree ideas on Pinterest
• Advent calendar. You could also purchase an Advent calendar in a Christian bookstore with scripture for each day. Children (and adults I admit!) love opening a door every day.
• Music. Play some of the beautiful music of Advent. I discovered this year that Advent music is different than Christmas music.

So this year, let’s have our focus be not on the number of shopping days left until Christmas, but on the moments we are able to spend with our Savior. It’s my prayer that this Advent season will be a blessed time of preparation for our hearts. Pray on!

Jesus is the Light of the World and has redeemed us from the darkness.We are new creatures in Christ Jesus. Because of His mighty grace and power we’ve been given a second chance at life.

It is heartening to know that when Jesus comes into our lives, He changes everything; He can make us exactly opposite of what we used to be. Darkness becomes light, weakness becomes strength and fear becomes courage. When Jesus comes into our lives, we are changed into what God had always intended us to be and He receives all the glory! Think of what you perceive to be your worst fault. Know that God is able to change your worst fault into your greatest strength.

Jesus did not redeem us and leave us  to finish living life by ourselves; He wants us to walk closely with Him.  To learn how to walk closely with Jesus please click on the link.

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For Unto Us a Son is Given

Welcome to Only By Prayer, where the sacred and the everyday meet! It’s our desire that on these pages you’ll deepen your prayer life with God. Whether you’ve been praying for years or you are wondering what prayer is all about, Mary and I are excited that you’ve stopped by for a while. So, get comfy, maybe grab something to drink and explore our site to learn more about the amazing fact that God actually wants to communicate with us.

Only By Prayer is authored by sisters Jane VanOsdol and Mary Kane. On our pages you’ll find Bible studies, a blog, podcast audios and devotions. Check out some of our products for sale to encourage you in your Christian walk and your prayer life. We also offer a free monthly e-zine called Got Prayer? You can sign up on our mailing list to receive it. Thanks for stopping by!

Prayer holds together the shattered fragments of creation. It makes history possible. Jacques Ellul

NEW!! Only By Prayer announces a new website for kids, “Kids For God”!

Kids For God is committed to helping children follow Christ. This brand new website features pages such as Bible Studies,   Prayer   Time and Praise and Worship, all designed with children in mind! Younger children can enjoy the site with Mom and Dad while older kids will be challenged to independently grow their relationship with God. To visit the site, just click on the link!  Kids for God

New! Podcast on My Facts or God’s Truth?

Join us as we discuss how to reconcile what the present facts of our lives may look like when compared to the truth of what God’s word says. What if our feelings don’t line up with what God is saying? What do we trust? Listen in as we face this dilemma: My Facts or God’s Truth.

Are you Looking for Jesus?

Jane and I are happy to announce that our new seminar Looking for Jesus is now available to purchase! If you are longing for a deeper relationship with our Savior, just click on this link for more information!

Looking For Jesus

A Journey Home: Ruth and Her Reedemer

Mary is so excited to announce that after four years of hard work her nine- week bible study on the Book of Ruth is finally available to purchase! If you are in need of redemption or are interested in deepening your walk with the Lord, please click on the link to purchase a copy of A Journey Home:Ruth and Her Redeemer.

Only By Prayer Facebook Page

Do you know that Only By Prayer now has a Facebook page? Leave a comment, post a prayer request or join a discussion. We’d love to hear from you!

Prayers Around the World: Egypt

It’s especially important to pray for Christians around the world who don’t have the freedom to worship as they choose. This week let’s concentrate our prayers on Egypt. As you probably recently know, President Morsi recently issued a decree that gave him more legislative powers and took away any judicial oversight. Click on this Egypt link for more information.

Prayer:

Father, as we view the political situation in Egypt with our human vision, the plight of Christians there looks bleak. Help us all to see through Your eyes, to see Your hand of protection in their midst. In the midst of bleak, even fearful, circumstances, help believers there to see opportunities to offer compassion and to share Your gospel. We boldly ask You to intervene in the thinking of President Morsi and other leaders to allow greater freedom for all to worship and practice their faith in peace. In the name of Jesus who hears the cry of our hearts, Amen.

Thank you to Open Doors USA for these Weekly Prayer Alerts.

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