Prayer to Prepare Your Heart for Giving Gifts
Written by Lynette Kittle
Bible reading:
“For by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this is not of yourselves, but the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
Sometimes it is difficult for us to receive gifts from God. Because gift-giving on this earth is often complicated, and human emotions and attitudes get in the way of our heartfelt gifts.
As an avid gift giver, I often give small tokens to others without expecting anything in return, simply because I want to share the joy I feel in my heart. However, in modern times, some people give gifts expecting something in return, but many people are not used to receiving gifts just because.
Yet, every year, I continue to give gifts. Because it’s about me being me, and it doesn’t matter if anyone reciprocates or not. No agenda is attached. It’s just a heart that loves to give.
Giving generously has given us a glimpse into God’s heart for us, and we have come to understand more deeply that God’s heart is to offer gifts out of a heart of love, even when they are rejected.
As Psalm 84:11 says, “The Lord God is a sun and a shield; he gives favor and honor; no good thing will be withheld from him who walks without sin.”
As a giver, I am not responsible for how my gift is received by others, but rather for my state of mind when offering it. Just because people reject God’s gifts does not change who God is. Because God is a giver who keeps giving, not based on how others receive His gifts, but based on who He is.
greatest giver of all time
Gift giving is so complex today that we want to rely on God to prepare our hearts for it. As the most selfless devotees of all time, we can learn much from what the Lord has given us.
As James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights in heaven, who does not change like a shifting shadow.”
God is a heartfelt giver who gives from a loving heart gifts designed especially for us. There is nothing luxurious, precious or irreplaceable. As John 3:16 explains, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
When God gave us Jesus, He gave us the ultimate gift without any strings attached. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Instead of giving gifts as a debt to God, God gives gifts to free us from the debt of sin. Paul explains further in Romans 8:32. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how could he also graciously give us all things with himself?”
God is the one who sacrifices himself and gives everything for our benefit. Yet so many people do not appreciate or understand the eternal value and reject the gift of Jesus.
Jesus prepares our hearts to give
Jesus, the greatest gift ever given to mankind, prepares our hearts for gifts, not just at Christmas but all year long.
“For unto us a child is born, and a son is given, and governments will rest upon his shoulders; and he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—(Isaiah 9:6).
As we prepare to give to others, we can’t help but exclaim, “Thank you God for the indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Let’s pray:
Dear father,
Thank you for giving me the best gift from start to finish!
Our hearts are filled with deep gratitude for your generous and indescribable gift of Jesus.
We have done nothing to deserve your precious gift, but you continue to give to us in so many amazing and wonderful ways from generation to generation.
Open our hearts to receive your greatest and most precious gift, Jesus, and open our hands to reach out and share Jesus with others this Christmas and every day of next year.
Help us to give to others as you have given to us, generously, generously, and when we have the ability to bless their lives, never withholding good from others.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Bogdan Kurylo
Lynette Kittle is married and has four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her work has been published in Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and elsewhere. She holds a master’s degree in communications from Regent University and is an associate producer at Soul Check TV.
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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