Prayer for those who feel lonely at Christmas
Written by Clarence Haynes
Bible reading:
The Lord is close to those who are hurting in spirit and saves those who are spiritually crushed. – Psalm 34:18
Listen or read below:
The images we see of Christmas are usually family gatherings filled with smiles and laughter. That’s one of the reasons they call this time of the year the most wonderful time of the year. To be honest, this can also be the loneliest time of the year.
Many people don’t like to expose their loneliness, so they force a smile to hide their loneliness in order to hide their true feelings underneath. After all, it’s a festive season, so why let your feelings of loneliness ruin someone else’s holiday? I know this feeling because I have experienced it myself. In 2010, my spouse passed away after a long battle with cancer. A few months later, our church held a Christmas gathering. I remember standing in the church fellowship hall, surrounded by children running around, food, music, laughter, and everyone having fun. However, even though I was surrounded by so many people, I felt alone. Looking at my appearance, I looked fine. But deep down, I wasn’t feeling the joy that vacation was supposed to bring.
These emotions can come to the surface during the holiday season, especially for those who have lost a loved one or have no immediate family nearby. This also applies to the elderly and those who are housebound and unable to go outside. These are the things we must remember this season.
It’s very likely that someone you know is experiencing the loneliness of the holiday blues. Here are some surprising numbers from a recent ValuePenguin survey of Americans.
61% of Americans say they feel sad or lonely during the holiday season, 67% say social or cultural expectations are partly to blame, 49% believe others don’t acknowledge their feelings, and 37% would skip the holiday season altogether if they could.
When you look at numbers like this, where has the holiday cheer gone? Don’t assume that everyone is experiencing it, because clearly that’s not the case. There are many lonely people in the world.
After God created Adam, the first thing he said was that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). That truth has not changed. I want to encourage you to do something. Think about your circle. This could include people from your church, your community, or your friend circle. Does anyone in this group spend Christmas alone? If so, don’t let them. If they can get out of the house, invite them over. You’ll probably have enough food that one more bite won’t hurt at all. If you can’t go out, spend time together, bring food, and share meals. Just as Christ came and gave his life to a lost world, let us go to the lonely and give them community.
Let’s pray:
main,
Pray for those who are feeling alone this holiday season. Whether you are grieving the death of a loved one, living far away from your family, suffering from illness or aging, or simply feeling invisible in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I first ask you to experience the comfort of your presence. Then we pray that you would seek them out this holiday season and keep them in the hearts of your people, so that they will not be forgotten. Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus by caring for those who are lonely during this season. Remember those who may be feeling lonely and invite them to join you on your vacation. Help us find them so they don’t have to spend this holiday season alone. Then I can put into practice the words of Jesus:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me into your house; I needed clothing and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.” – Matthew 25:35-36
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a dynamic speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of a Bible study club dedicated to helping people live with purpose and clarity. In addition to his ministry, Clarence has been a trusted financial educator for the past 13 years, coaching thousands of people across the country, including employees of many Fortune 500 companies, toward lasting financial health. His unique ability to blend practical wisdom and spiritual insight enables people to succeed in all areas of life.
He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads readers to His will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible, and has released his first course, Fundamentals of Bible Study, to accomplish that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.
Related Resources: Be Still – 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. This month we’ll be introducing Advent meditations designed to help you quiet your mind and hear from the Lord. 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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