Advent—the four weeks preceding Christmas—is a season of active waiting. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival,” and this season has traditionally been a time of celebration and anticipation; we celebrate Jesus’ first Advent, and we urgently anticipate his promised second Advent.
Advent is all about Jesus. The daily Scriptures listed in this guide point to the character and work of the person Jesus. As we celebrate Advent, our focus is on Jesus and the implications of the God-man for us today. We not only remember Jesus’ first Advent, but we look forward to the day when King Jesus will return at his second Advent and free us from sin, injustice, and brokenness forever.
We await this second Advent actively. It’s marked by the mission of God where our hearts, hands, and homes become instruments of hope and healing. It’s a waiting where we learn to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves. We participate in shaping the world God has placed us in to reflect the ethics of Jesus, who ushered in a kingdom that both has come and has yet to fully arrive.
We invite you to use this Advent Guide individually, communally, or as a family to focus your minds and hearts on the person of Jesus this Christmas season.
Advent is all about Jesus. The daily Scriptures listed in this guide point to the character and work of the person Jesus. As we celebrate Advent, our focus is on Jesus and the implications of the God-man for us today. We not only remember Jesus’ first Advent, but we look forward to the day when King Jesus will return at his second Advent and free us from sin, injustice, and brokenness forever.
We await this second Advent actively. It’s marked by the mission of God where our hearts, hands, and homes become instruments of hope and healing. It’s a waiting where we learn to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves. We participate in shaping the world God has placed us in to reflect the ethics of Jesus, who ushered in a kingdom that both has come and has yet to fully arrive.
We invite you to use this Advent Guide individually, communally, or as a family to focus your minds and hearts on the person of Jesus this Christmas season.
Daily Scriptures
DAILY RHYTHM FOR SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
PAUSE: Spend a few minutes in silence. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through God’s Word.
READ: Slowly read each passage of Scripture. Reflect on the words of God.
REFLECT: Use a journal to reflect and pray.
LISTEN: Take a moment and just be. Listen to what the Spirit is saying to your heart.
PRACTICE: Faithfully respond to what God has said to you during this time.
ENCOURAGE/SHARE: Interact with others about what God is saying to you through your time with him.
PAUSE: Spend a few minutes in silence. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through God’s Word.
READ: Slowly read each passage of Scripture. Reflect on the words of God.
REFLECT: Use a journal to reflect and pray.
LISTEN: Take a moment and just be. Listen to what the Spirit is saying to your heart.
PRACTICE: Faithfully respond to what God has said to you during this time.
ENCOURAGE/SHARE: Interact with others about what God is saying to you through your time with him.
Week 1: Hope
Pray that we, as the family of CrossPoint, would seek God expectantly, out of the hope of what he has done and intends to do.
Pray that our service would cause others to place their hope in Christ.
Pray that we would generously give out of a hope found in God with eyes on eternity, not out of our present or unknown future circumstances.
November 30 — Isaiah 53v1-12
December 1 — Romans 15v13
December 2 — Romans 8v22-25
December 3 — Hebrews 10v22-23
December 4 — Isaiah 40v29-31
December 5 — 1 Thessalonians 1v1-5
December 6 — Psalm 147v10-11
Pray that our service would cause others to place their hope in Christ.
Pray that we would generously give out of a hope found in God with eyes on eternity, not out of our present or unknown future circumstances.
November 30 — Isaiah 53v1-12
December 1 — Romans 15v13
December 2 — Romans 8v22-25
December 3 — Hebrews 10v22-23
December 4 — Isaiah 40v29-31
December 5 — 1 Thessalonians 1v1-5
December 6 — Psalm 147v10-11
Week 2: Peace
Pray that those who seek God would be met with his peace, regardless of current struggles.
Pray that as we serve, we would be ministers of God’s peace in a world in chaos and disorder.
Pray that the manner of our giving would bring peace to the giver and receiver.
December 7 — Luke 2v1-6; Isaiah 9v6
December 8 — John 16v29-33
December 9 — Isaiah 26v3-4
December 10 — Romans 12v17-18
December 11 — Philippians 4v6-7
December 12 — 2 Corinthians 13v11
December 13 — 2 Thessalonians 3v16
Pray that as we serve, we would be ministers of God’s peace in a world in chaos and disorder.
Pray that the manner of our giving would bring peace to the giver and receiver.
December 7 — Luke 2v1-6; Isaiah 9v6
December 8 — John 16v29-33
December 9 — Isaiah 26v3-4
December 10 — Romans 12v17-18
December 11 — Philippians 4v6-7
December 12 — 2 Corinthians 13v11
December 13 — 2 Thessalonians 3v16
Week 3: Joy
Pray that those who are anxious, depressed, and filled with grief would have their sorrow replaced with the Lord’s joy.
Pray that we would serve the community with hearts of gladness out of gratitude for the way that Jesus first served us.
Pray that God would give us “joyful hearts,” eager to give, out of the abundance of what he has done for us.
December 14 — Luke 2v8-20
December 15 — James 1v2-4
December 16 — Psalm 33v18-22
December 17 — John 15v10-11
December 18 — 1 Peter 4v12-14
December 19 — 1 Thessalonians 5v15-18
December 20 — Philippians 4v4-7
Pray that we would serve the community with hearts of gladness out of gratitude for the way that Jesus first served us.
Pray that God would give us “joyful hearts,” eager to give, out of the abundance of what he has done for us.
December 14 — Luke 2v8-20
December 15 — James 1v2-4
December 16 — Psalm 33v18-22
December 17 — John 15v10-11
December 18 — 1 Peter 4v12-14
December 19 — 1 Thessalonians 5v15-18
December 20 — Philippians 4v4-7
Week 4: Love
Pray that the investment of time in prayer with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit would grow our hearts to love God more fully and completely.
Pray that we would “serve one another humbly in love,” as Christ modeled for us.
Pray that out of love we would give selflessly for the kingdom’s best interest, expecting nothing in return.
December 21 — 1 John 4v9-10
December 22 — 1 Corinthians 13v1-3
December 23 — Luke 6v35-36
December 24 — Proverbs 3v3-4
December 26 — Romans 13v8-10
December 27 — Ephesians 2v4-5
December 28 — John 15v12-14
December 29 — John 3v16-17
December 30 — 1 Corinthians 13v8-13
December 31 — Psalm 13v5-6
Pray that we would “serve one another humbly in love,” as Christ modeled for us.
Pray that out of love we would give selflessly for the kingdom’s best interest, expecting nothing in return.
December 21 — 1 John 4v9-10
December 22 — 1 Corinthians 13v1-3
December 23 — Luke 6v35-36
December 24 — Proverbs 3v3-4
December 26 — Romans 13v8-10
December 27 — Ephesians 2v4-5
December 28 — John 15v12-14
December 29 — John 3v16-17
December 30 — 1 Corinthians 13v8-13
December 31 — Psalm 13v5-6
Prayer Guides
A Lifestyle of Prayer
Our 24/7 prayer experiences are designed to help us intentionally practice God’s presence as a community. It is one way we deepen in trusting and following Jesus as his disciples.
These times of 24/7 prayer:
• Serve as intentional times of investment in the kingdom of God
• Create a launchpad for us as to cultivate habitual, consistent rhythms of prayer as we deepen in relationship with God
• Help us normalize prayer as we practice it in community
To understand how to have a lifestyle of prayer, we can look at the example Jesus gave during his life on earth:
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,
Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1v35)
HAVE A CERTAIN TIME
Jesus got up early in the morning to spend time with his Heavenly Father. Make a daily appointment with God—whether first thing in the morning, at lunch, or in the evening—and faithfully keep it.
HAVE A CERTAIN PLACE
Jesus prayed at a specific place. Having a designated spot helps us remove distractions and frees us to worship and pray aloud.
HAVE A CERTAIN PLAN
This prayer guide can serve as a plan to help you pray. Also, the book of Psalms in Scripture is one giant prayer book for God’s people—it’s an awesome place to begin. As we pray, our plans for our prayer time may include silence, praying through Scripture, worship music, making a thanksgiving list to give God praise, writing prayers, interceding for others, praying for those who do not yet follow Jesus, or many other things.
Remember, it doesn’t matter as much what you do, as much as it matters that you invest your time in pursuing the presence of God. That’s a lifestyle worth cultivating.
These times of 24/7 prayer:
• Serve as intentional times of investment in the kingdom of God
• Create a launchpad for us as to cultivate habitual, consistent rhythms of prayer as we deepen in relationship with God
• Help us normalize prayer as we practice it in community
To understand how to have a lifestyle of prayer, we can look at the example Jesus gave during his life on earth:
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,
Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1v35)
HAVE A CERTAIN TIME
Jesus got up early in the morning to spend time with his Heavenly Father. Make a daily appointment with God—whether first thing in the morning, at lunch, or in the evening—and faithfully keep it.
HAVE A CERTAIN PLACE
Jesus prayed at a specific place. Having a designated spot helps us remove distractions and frees us to worship and pray aloud.
HAVE A CERTAIN PLAN
This prayer guide can serve as a plan to help you pray. Also, the book of Psalms in Scripture is one giant prayer book for God’s people—it’s an awesome place to begin. As we pray, our plans for our prayer time may include silence, praying through Scripture, worship music, making a thanksgiving list to give God praise, writing prayers, interceding for others, praying for those who do not yet follow Jesus, or many other things.
Remember, it doesn’t matter as much what you do, as much as it matters that you invest your time in pursuing the presence of God. That’s a lifestyle worth cultivating.
Praying the Lord’s Prayer
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” (Matthew 6v9-13)
“To this day I am still nursing myself on the Lord’s Prayer like a child, and am still eating and drinking of it like an old man without getting bored of it.” — Martin Luther
“The Lord’s Prayer correctly understood is one of the high roads into the central mystery of Christian salvation and Christian experience.” — N.T. Wright
“To cultivate a deeper prayer life all you have to do is say the Lord’s Prayer, but take an hour to do it.” — Timothy Jones
This prayer given by Jesus can be used in two quite distinct ways:
AS A MODEL—The Lord’s Prayer serves as the ultimate prototype. It is a condensed liturgical poem clearly intended for frequent repetition. It teaches us what to pray.
AS A MAP—The Lord’s Prayer guides us as we express the things in our hearts. Each line can be applied and expanded in personal conversation with the Father. It teaches us how to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer exercises:
• Underline each distinct phrase in the Lord’s Prayer.
• Pray each distinct phrase slowly leaving a long pause between each phrase. Pray through the Lord’s prayer this way a minimum of three times.
• Pray each of the phrases you have underlined one at a time. Talk to God about each phrase, one at a time. For example, the line “Our Father in heaven.” Talk to God about being your Father, who is in heaven. Start there and continue with each phrase.
“To this day I am still nursing myself on the Lord’s Prayer like a child, and am still eating and drinking of it like an old man without getting bored of it.” — Martin Luther
“The Lord’s Prayer correctly understood is one of the high roads into the central mystery of Christian salvation and Christian experience.” — N.T. Wright
“To cultivate a deeper prayer life all you have to do is say the Lord’s Prayer, but take an hour to do it.” — Timothy Jones
This prayer given by Jesus can be used in two quite distinct ways:
AS A MODEL—The Lord’s Prayer serves as the ultimate prototype. It is a condensed liturgical poem clearly intended for frequent repetition. It teaches us what to pray.
AS A MAP—The Lord’s Prayer guides us as we express the things in our hearts. Each line can be applied and expanded in personal conversation with the Father. It teaches us how to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer exercises:
• Underline each distinct phrase in the Lord’s Prayer.
• Pray each distinct phrase slowly leaving a long pause between each phrase. Pray through the Lord’s prayer this way a minimum of three times.
• Pray each of the phrases you have underlined one at a time. Talk to God about each phrase, one at a time. For example, the line “Our Father in heaven.” Talk to God about being your Father, who is in heaven. Start there and continue with each phrase.
Prayers for the Spiritually Lost
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2v1-4)
Think of the “one”you’re praying for this Advent. Insert that person’s name in each prayer below. God can do mighty things in response to our prayers.
Pray that God will draw ____________ to Jesus Christ, His Son.
Pray that God will soften ____________’s heart to enable them to receive with joy the message of the gospel.
Pray that God will place believers in ____________’s life who will daily point them to Jesus.
Pray that God will create a longing in ____________’s heart that can only be filled by Him.
Pray that God will open ____________’s eyes and cause them to see the work of Jesus all around their life.
Pray that God will use the circumstances of ____________’s life to draw them to Himself.
Pray that God will resolve any doubts in ____________’s mind that might hinder acceptance of the gospel.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will pierce ____________’s heart to convict them of the sin that now separates them from God.
Pray that God will cause ____________ to relinquish control of their life in surrender to Jesus.
Pray that God will use His word to reveal Himself to ____________.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3v9)
Think of the “one”you’re praying for this Advent. Insert that person’s name in each prayer below. God can do mighty things in response to our prayers.
Pray that God will draw ____________ to Jesus Christ, His Son.
Pray that God will soften ____________’s heart to enable them to receive with joy the message of the gospel.
Pray that God will place believers in ____________’s life who will daily point them to Jesus.
Pray that God will create a longing in ____________’s heart that can only be filled by Him.
Pray that God will open ____________’s eyes and cause them to see the work of Jesus all around their life.
Pray that God will use the circumstances of ____________’s life to draw them to Himself.
Pray that God will resolve any doubts in ____________’s mind that might hinder acceptance of the gospel.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will pierce ____________’s heart to convict them of the sin that now separates them from God.
Pray that God will cause ____________ to relinquish control of their life in surrender to Jesus.
Pray that God will use His word to reveal Himself to ____________.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3v9)
Silence and Listening Prayer
Silence is a practice in prayer that counteracts the rampant hurry and habitual busyness of western life. Pausing, being still, and practicing silence opens our minds and hearts to God’s voice. Our world is increasingly becoming one loud echo chamber, and the fear that accompanies silence for many people reveals our brokenness.
Jesus lived out rhythms of silence and solitude with the Father (Luke 4v42). His own life challenges us to actively turn down the volume in our lives in order to practice being with him.
“God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.” — Mother Teresa
Silent Prayer Exercises:
Stop talking: Just sit in silence. Begin by separating your identity purely from what you do or how you present yourself.
Be silent: Don’t run from the emptiness or emotions that begin to arise. Ask God to gently help you process these as you wait upon him in the silence.
Listen: What comes into your mind? Give each thought that enters your mind to God. Take each thought captive to Jesus. The thoughts that enter your mind’s eye—surrender those to God. Don’t try to make sense of all of them. Just hand them over to God. Trust him with what comes to you as you listen.
As you finish, be sure to write everything down, even the things that seem strange or unrelated. If God is speaking, he will continue the conversation. If they are just random thoughts, that’s okay; it’s all part of the process of learning.
Jesus lived out rhythms of silence and solitude with the Father (Luke 4v42). His own life challenges us to actively turn down the volume in our lives in order to practice being with him.
“God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.” — Mother Teresa
Silent Prayer Exercises:
Stop talking: Just sit in silence. Begin by separating your identity purely from what you do or how you present yourself.
Be silent: Don’t run from the emptiness or emotions that begin to arise. Ask God to gently help you process these as you wait upon him in the silence.
Listen: What comes into your mind? Give each thought that enters your mind to God. Take each thought captive to Jesus. The thoughts that enter your mind’s eye—surrender those to God. Don’t try to make sense of all of them. Just hand them over to God. Trust him with what comes to you as you listen.
As you finish, be sure to write everything down, even the things that seem strange or unrelated. If God is speaking, he will continue the conversation. If they are just random thoughts, that’s okay; it’s all part of the process of learning.
Advent Initiative
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Gatherings
Wednesday, December 24 @ 1, 2:30, 4, 5:30, & 7 p.m.
Online Service | CROSSPOINTLEW.ORG/LIVE
Wednesday, December 24 @ 2:30 p.m.
Service will remain available on-demand all week
Wednesday, December 24 @ 1, 2:30, 4, 5:30, & 7 p.m.
Online Service | CROSSPOINTLEW.ORG/LIVE
Wednesday, December 24 @ 2:30 p.m.
Service will remain available on-demand all week