Prayers for hope this Christmas season
Written by Vivian Bricker
Bible reading:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Christmas often reminds us of hope with its twinkling lights, beautiful decorations, smiling faces all around, and the memory that God sent His Son to this earth for us. But for many, this holiday is not full of hope. Financial hardships, family trauma, health concerns, etc. make Christmas not so merry and bright.
I personally have a hard time feeling hopeful this Christmas season. Lately, it has been taking a toll on me both physically and mentally, making it difficult to enjoy the happiness that should come with a vacation. Although I have done my best to combat these symptoms, I continue to feel sad, hopeless, and anxious about the upcoming Christmas season. I love Christmas, but if I’m always feeling incredibly sad or anxious, I can’t have the best time.
Even with all the twinkling lights and beautifully wrapped presents, people can still feel empty and empty around Christmas time. If you’re feeling downtrodden this Christmas, know that it’s okay and you’re not alone. Struggling with hope during the Christmas season is not a personal flaw. We all struggle from time to time, but it’s important to give ourselves grace. Treat yourself the same way you would treat your friends, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you start feeling depressed about the upcoming holiday season.
Once you have deeply accepted your feelings and expressed them fully, it is time to turn to the Lord. God will cheer your weary heart and give you the hope you need. Think about what is making you feel hopeless this year and tell it to the Lord (Philippians 4:6-7). Don’t be afraid to be honest with the Lord and share your deepest, darkest struggles.
The apostle Paul said, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as long as you trust in him, so that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). As Paul says in this passage, God is a God of hope. The hope the Bible speaks of is not wishful thinking, but a firm promise.
Even though many bad things happen in this world, God is still the giver of all good things (James 1:17). When we trust in God, God Himself fills us with joy and peace, and by the power of the Holy Spirit we are filled with hope. We need to hold fast to this promise and know that God is good. God helps us wrap our hearts in the grace of His love and eternal hope.
No matter what you are facing this year, bring it to God. May God’s mercy give you hope. God will wash away all your doubts and fill you with hope, joy, and love. Even when you doubt God, He will forever surround you with blessings. Trust God and allow His hope to give you the steady grace you need.
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord, You are the God of all hope and I praise You. I need help because I don’t have much hope this year. Help me to find hope in You and let go of doubt and hopelessness. Life has been hard this year and I don’t feel like celebrating or praising out loud, but I know that you can turn my hopes into something beautiful.
Bring hope into my heart by turning to You. Prepare my heart to meet You despite the pain I feel, and transform my heart of despair into a heart of hope. I believe you can do all things. Then the power of the Holy Spirit will surge into my life.
God, I give you all praise and glory. Amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Maria Marganingsih
Vivian Bricker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and then a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Theology. She loves theology, ministry, and all things helping others learn about Jesus. For more of her content, visit Cultivate: https://cultivatechristianity.wordpress.com/
Related Resources: Advent Meditation
This season of Advent is busy and hectic, but that’s why we need time to stop and be still with God. So Much More is a podcast created to bring you a space to be with God. In this short guided prayer, we return to this week’s meditation on hope, Psalm 62:5-8. Together we take a deep breath, rest in God’s presence, and ask Him to renew our hope, believing that He who came once will come again. If you like what you hear, subscribe to So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
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