Winter is here! Maybe you can hardly wait to celebrate holidays, gather with loved ones, enjoy favorite traditions, and make new special memories. There's nothing quite like the glow of Christmas lights around town or the beauty of a white, snowy day. This is the most wonderful time of the year for some of us, but winter's cold, dark days can also usher in some painful realities in this broken world. The stress of busy schedules, bitter family conflicts, seasonal depression, and numerous occasions magnify our loneliness and grief. Whether you've been joyfully anticipating this season or anxiously preparing yourself to push through it, you can turn to the Lord with hope because of Christ. He is our light, joy, strength, and the One who has come to redeem all things. Here are 8 prayers you can pray this winter.
1. For this is how God loved the world: He gave His ofne and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16 NLT
God our Father, You love to give good gifts to Your children! Thank You for giving us the very best gift, Your precious Son Jesus! I'm amazed to know that You love us that much. Thank You for giving us new life in Him and every spiritual blessing. No matter what I give to others or add to my wish list this year, I never want to forget what You gave me in Christ. Help me to remember and celebrate Him all season long.
2. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God stands forever. – Isaiah 40:8 NLT
God, these grey and lifeless winter days are depressing. The bleak view outside is a sobering reminder that things of this world are passing away. Help me to focus my thoughts on what is eternal, Your Word. I am so glad Your Word to us is the good news of salvation! And I am forever grateful that You sent Your Son to earth as the "Word made flesh" to give me eternal life. Teach me to find hope and joy in Him and in Your promises that will never fail.
3. But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." – Luke 10:41-42 NLT
Lord, I want to be like Mary, sitting at your feet to listen, learn and worship You. I confess that I am often overwhelmed, worried, and upset during this busy season. But, please keep me from losing sight of what is most important. Help me to slow down enough to really hear from You and enjoy being with You. I want to have a heart of rest and worship this winter. Even with everything, there is to do, You are what I really need.
4. You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. - 1 Peter 1:8 NLT
Jesus, what was it like to see You in person? You, the God of all things, came down, walking in the flesh as one of us, crying as a baby, suffering the pain of this world, learning obedience to the point of death. Lord, I have heard how You came to save me, and I believe. I rejoice in You! I love You. I am waiting for Your return so I can see You with my eyes, but even now, I will celebrate You. Please fill me with inexpressible joy in You this season!
5. "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool." – Isaiah 1:18 NLT
Lord, I come confessing my sin. I need Your cleansing and forgiveness. The sin in my heart is like a dirty stain that clings to me. I cannot remove it, no matter how hard I try. I cannot cover it or hide it. But I know that Jesus took it upon Himself when He died on the cross. Thank You for His atoning blood that washes me until I'm pure and white as snow. I will praise You for your grace and rejoice to know that I am robed in His righteousness. Teach me to walk out what is true about me in Jesus.
6. Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. – Psalm 27:10 NLT
Father, You know how this season brings such loneliness and hurt to the surface in my life. I watch others gather with family to celebrate, and I don't know where I belong or who really cares about me. Please look and see the pain in my heart and comfort me with Your love. You say that You will hold me close. I need that now. I am grateful that Jesus willingly faced rejection and loneliness to bring me into Your family as a beloved child. Assure me again that You are with me and that I will never be alone.
7. Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. – Colossians 3:12-13 NLT
Lord, You are so gracious. Thank You for Your tender heart and kindness toward me. Please help me love others the way You have loved me, especially those I find difficult to love. Sometimes family gatherings bring more stress and conflict than joy. But You call me to shine Your light and show them what You are like. Guard me against being impatient or easily offended. Remind me often that You chose me and showed me love when I was undeserving. You forgave me even when the cost was very high. I will obey You and walk in grace and love.
8. “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. 78 Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” - Luke 1:68,78-79 NLT
Lord God, You see the darkness we face in this world. The winter days make me feel the heaviness even more than usual. Thank You for not leaving us in the shadow of sin and death. You did not leave us without hope. When my heart is filled with sorrow and angst over all the brokenness I see, help me to look to Jesus and hope in Him. He is the light shining into the darkest places. He is the One who can redeem all things. He can bring the peace and restoration my heart longs for. I praise You that the darkness will not overcome His light.
