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Friday December 27 - Father God
He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Set next to each other in Isaiah’s list of titles that are to be ascribed to the promised Son are ‘Mighty God’ and ‘Everlasting Father’ – they are one and the same. One of the wonderful revelations that Jesus brought to us was the fact that the Mighty God – powerful, ‘other’ and distant – can also be known as the Everlasting Father who is close, personal and familial. In addressing God as ‘Father’, it does not diminish his power. And addressing him as God does not reduce his closeness and familiarity: Mighty God and Everlasting Father are two equal facets of God’s being.
When Jesus was asked by his disciples to teach them how to pray, he introduced the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ (Luke 11:1-4) with “Our Father, hallowed be your name...” At its conclusion we say, “for yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.” We are so familiar with this that the enormity of its impact can pass us by – that we can know the all-powerful God of the universe as ‘Our Father in heaven’. May we never lose that sense of awe, nor of the joy of intimacy with God. Prayer can bring awe and joy, as can day-to-day Christian living – Jesus demonstrated that superbly.
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, increase our awe and joy as we walk with you day by day and as we know your presence in times of prayer. Amen.
Saturday December 28 - Prince of Peace
He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Ukraine, the Middle East, North Africa, South East Asia... These are but a few of the places where devastating conflicts lead to misery. Refugees, homeless people, fractured homes, terminal illness, a sense of helplessness... These are but a few of the situations where trauma leads to misery. This world; our society; our homes, and within ourselves – the cry for peace is universal and personal.
It is little wonder that so many of the Christmas cards that are sent or received focus on the ‘Prince of Peace’ – this title resonates with our deep longing for peace. Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming child speaks to our most fundamental needs. It is through Jesus that we can know ‘peace with God’ (Romans 5:1); it is through Jesus that fractured family relationships can be restored and that we personally can know deep inner peace.
In ancient times kings and princes would lead their forces into battle, but Jesus is the Prince of Peace; he leads us into peace. We know, through scripture and experience, the truth of Jesus’ words in John 16:33 that “in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” The peace that we can know is not the absence of conflict, but a deep inner peace made real in us as the Spirit grows Christ’s fruit within us.
Prince of Peace, may I increasingly experience that deep work of your Holy Spirit, as he develops peace in our hearts. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY