Evening Prayer for Friday, December 19, 2025

 

Praying the Scriptures

Friday Evening Prayer

December 19, 2025

“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.” — Psalm 126:1–3

Lord,

As this Advent night draws quietly around me, I remember the joy of those moments when You restored what I thought was lost. I think of the psalmist’s words—how Your people were like those who dream—and I feel that same holy longing rise within me. In the stillness, I offer You the places in my life that need renewal, trusting that Your mercy can bring joy out of sorrow and hope out of weariness.

Fill my heart again with the laughter that comes from knowing You are faithful. Even in the shadows of the evening, let the memory of Your past goodness brighten my spirit. Teach me to rejoice not only when the harvest comes, but also in the waiting, believing that You are already at work in ways I cannot yet see.

Tonight, I rest in the truth that You have done great things for me, and I rejoice in Your steadfast love. Help me carry this Advent joy into tomorrow, as a quiet flame burning deep within my soul. May Your restoring grace shape my thoughts, calm my fears, and lift my spirit as I await the dawn of Your promised light.

Amen.

May the God who restores joy and renews our hope keep us all in steadfast peace as we await the coming light of Christ.

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The Bible passages come from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyrighted © 1989, 1993 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America and are used by permission. All rights reserved. Praying the Scriptures is penned daily by Kenny Sallee, ThM.