“Dear Heavenly Father,
This time of year is especially hard on me. As I watch people bustling around in preparation for joyous activities, I am reminded of the people I have loved and lost. It makes me feel so alone. This emptiness has gotten worse each year. The holidays are a painful reminder of what I do not have.
Lord, I know this attitude is not a healthy one. I am coming to you because I am desperate for a new way of thinking and dealing with the holidays. I have isolated myself and things have only gotten worse because of it. There are many things I do have that could be a blessing to others. Show me how to invest my time and efforts wisely. Show me how I can be a blessing to others, even though I feel pain myself. Lord, help me to express the love of Christ through my life and actions.
As I reach out to others, fill my heart with the joy of the Lord, as that will be my strength. I am trusting that you will heal my broken heart. You will show me all the good things I have not been focusing on and to lead me into a better way of living. Lord, your Son died to give me freedom.
In the name of Jesus, I bind the demonic forces of depression, isolation, rejection, resentment and anger. Lord, fill my heart with love and compassion for others so I can get my mind off of myself. As I am being filled with your love, help me to go out on a limb and reach out even if it is uncomfortable. Show me that my smile, my kind word, my efforts to make another comfortable matter. Even if it is just the satisfaction of knowing I made you smile, make that be enough for me. I know you love me, now help me to see how much you do, and help me to receive this love and pass this onto others during this season.
The season of celebration of your Son’s birth is what the holidays are all about. The holidays are not about my problems and me. Christmas is a reminder of your gift of love to the whole earth. Help me to focus on the real reason for the season. In Jesus name, I pray against the spirit of greed, selfishness and self-centeredness. I will allow generosity to fill my spirit, and I will humbly give the Lord credit for every kind deed that His Holy Spirit prompts me to do. For, I could never reach out and touch a hurting world without the power of God helping me.
In Jesus’ name I pray, let the power of love be felt through me, not only during this time of year, but until I go home to be with God Himself. Thank you for the gift of the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan