Focus Verse Isaiah 7:14
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.
The name Immanuel means, “God with us.” Isaiah was given this prophecy in a very difficult time during the reign of Ahaz. The people were discouraged and felt they had been abandoned by God. It is not an unusual feeling when life gets tough and we need to hear and to trust that God IS with us.
Although Isaiah’s words were given for a different reason in a different time and have been a sign of God’s presence in the Jewish community throughout Jewish history, Christians have seen Isaiah’s words as a sign foreshadowing the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary.
Reflection: Have you ever felt that God had abandoned you? Have you ever asked for a sign from God because you needed to know that God was still with you? What happened? How did your experience challenge or affirm your faith in God and God’s promises?
If music is a spiritual pathway for you, take this link to YouTube and pause for a moment to listen to Francesca Battistelli sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel."
Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places. You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing. And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...
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