Prayers for God's Leading: Luke 1:8-20

Orienting Scripture Text

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
     and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
     and he will make straight your paths. -Proverbs 3:5-6 

Quiet Reflection

Prayer

All knowing God of creation,
Send your Spirit to grant us wisdom. 

Lord, we trust in you.
We pray that we would lean not on our own understanding
in these times of questioning.
May we look only to you for help.
We ask that in our search for discernment
we do not rely on our own insight,
but instead listen for your truth in Christ. 

Oh, great Way maker,
We turn to you for guidance,
show us the path you want us to take
and grant us peace. 

In the name of Christ, our only hope,
Amen.

-Emma Gordon, Class of 2022, Calvin Worship Apprentice

Central Scripture Text: Luke 1:8-20

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty,
      he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, 
to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense.
      Now at the time of the incense offering, 
the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.
      Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, 
standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
      When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; 
and fear overwhelmed him.
      But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, 
for your prayer has been heard. 
      Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.
You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
      for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. 
He must never drink wine or strong drink; 
      even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
      With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, 
to turn the hearts of parents to their children, 
      and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, 
to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
      Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? 
For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.”
      The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, 
and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
      But now, because you did not believe my words, 
which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, 
      unable to speak, until the day these things occur.” -Luke 1:8-20

Prayer

God of all hope,
If in your providence you choose to come to us with news we can hardly believe, 
Open our eyes, our mind, our heart to recognize your voice. 
When fear or anxiety overwhelms us, help us recognize and receive the joy of the Lord.
When you ask us to wait, give us uncommon patience and expectant, Advent hope.
In Jesus, 
Amen.

Quiet Reflection

Musical Reflections

• Calvin University Capella: “Jesucristo, esperanza del mundo / Jesus Christ, Hope of the World,” arr. Greg Scheer (Calvin University Capella, Pearl Shangkuan, conductor; Linda Hoisington, accompanist, Joel Yan, violin)

• Calvin University 2020 Christmas: "O Come, O Come, Immanuel" (Calvin University students Lauren Holwerda, Carlos Lemagne, and David Clausing)

Blessing 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. —Romans 15:13