Seeking the Lord in Our Busyness
By Fuji Kim, edited by Erin Conner
As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the Lord's blessings at Thanksgiving, Christian Union presents this special devotional, originally published in 2021, "Three Daily Prayers for the Holidays."
UPON RISING: “In the Father’s Mercies”
Father God, in rising this morning, thank you for giving rest to those You love and for new morning mercies.
As one of Your chosen ones, holy and beloved, lead me to live out of my identity with You as our Father and me as Your child through the work of our elder brother, in Jesus' death and resurrection.
May Jesus' heart and mind bear fruit in me to have a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience so that I will engage well with family, friends, and neighbors. And above all these, that I would put on love to be sacrificial. As concerns arise, help me to forgive, as You have forgiven me.
Prompt me to seek You and Your presence continually this day through Your Word dwelling in me richly that I would break out in singing "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" with thankfulness in my heart to You. As I travel, spend time with family and friends, have difficult conversations, and grow impatient at times, help me, in word and deed, do everything for the honor and in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to You, our Father, through Jesus, in whose name I pray.
Reflect on Colossians 3:15c: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
NOON: “In the Peace of Christ”
Father God, thank You that you sent Your Son to bring the peace I so desperately need. For this afternoon, I ask for the Peace of Christ to rule in my heart. Remind me of my union with You, Jesus, and that You have taken on my sin. May Your love dwell so richly that I need not fill the void with something else.
Jesus, train my heart and mind to continue to bear fruit for faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control so that I will be generous in engaging those around me and discharge the day's responsibilities. Help me to remain tenderhearted in listening to others around me, with my foundation grounded in you and living in your peace. Bring scriptures and songs to my heart and mind that remind me of your nature. Whatever happens, Jesus, help me to remember that You are sovereignly working for me.
Teach me to be sensitive to Your leading, Jesus, denying myself and following You even into difficult spaces. In the tasks and relationships of this day, let me work and serve heartily as being for You and not just for human approval. Let my preferences not become demands and that my convictions remain true to You and Your word. Show me ways to be thankful. And whatever happens in conversations, food preparations, and relational tensions, that I will be rooted in Your peace throughout. I pray for Your peace to rule in my heart and live with thankfulness today. In Jesus’ name.
Reflect on Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
EVENING’S REST: “Abundance of the Spirit”
Reflect: Allow the mind to wander to reflect on the ways God has blessed today. Allow big things and small things to arise—everything from the gift of faith to the gift of family, protection and safety, conversations.
Our Father, thank you for the blessings of this day and season, especially in Jesus. Holy Spirit, indwell actively in my physical body so that I can rest from the day's labor and concerns. Even as the body rests, Spirit, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus from real dangers and anxieties.
I ask you, Holy Spirit, for help to review the day's failures. Lead me through soul-searching so that I do not deny sins committed, wallow in self-pity, or self-loathe. And I ask for grace and forgiveness. You, the Spirit of life, will set me free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Thank you that instead of living in fear, the Spirit testifies with my heart so that I cry out "Abba, Father" as one who has been adopted and chosen by You.
As I think about tomorrow, the people I'll see, decisions to consider, and moments where I failed today, I ask for Your power to set my mind on things of You and walk according to Your word. Would you bring your comfort so that the difficulties and suffering of this day point to my sharing in Jesus' resurrected glory for peace. May the peace of Christ rule over me.
I rest in You, my Triune God, and I give thanks because of Jesus' death and resurrection in whose name I pray. Amen.
