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<\/a>Wilderness from Masada towards the Dead Sea<\/p><\/div>\n
I think it is interesting to note that the voice cries out in the wilderness. The wilderness is a hostile place where conditions are harsh, and life is hard.<\/p>\n
We mistakenly think that we need to go into the wilderness to find God. The truth is that we are so often already in the wilderness ourselves in terms of our spirituality or where our hearts priorities lie. So it is into our wilderness that the Lord comes to comfort us. We do not need to search for God he has come to us as a shepherd to gently hold us close to his heart.<\/p>\n
What a wonderful image this paints – that I am held that closely by God that I should feel and hear the very beat of his heart. Advent is a time when we express our longing for the day that Jesus will come to give us his comfort.<\/p>\n We don’t want to wait for the valleys to be raised up, <\/span>the mountains and hills made low; <\/span><\/span>the rough ground made level, <\/span>the rugged places made into a plain. That sounds like it is going to take a very very long time!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We will read tomorrow of the man named John who is the fulfilment of this prophecy of Isaiah.<\/p>\n The waiting is nearly over our comforter is near. Hallelujah!<\/p>\n Comfort, comfort my people, <\/span><\/span>says your God. <\/span><\/span>Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, <\/span>and proclaim to her <\/span><\/span>that her hard service has been completed,<\/span> that her sin has been paid for, t<\/span><\/span>hat she has received from the Lord<\/span>\u2019s hand <\/span>double for all her sins.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A voice of one calling: <\/span>\u2018In the wilderness prepare <\/span>the way for the Lord;<\/span> <\/span><\/span>make straight in the desert <\/span>a highway for our A voice says, \u2018Cry out.\u2019 <\/span>And I said, \u2018What shall I cry?\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2018All people are like grass,<\/span> and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. T<\/span><\/span>he grass withers and the flowers fall,<\/span> because the breath of the Lord<\/span> blows on them. <\/span><\/span>Surely the people are grass. T<\/span><\/span>he grass withers and the flowers fall, <\/span>but the word of our God endures for ever.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n You who bring good news to Zion, <\/span>go up on a high mountain. <\/span><\/span>You who bring good news to Jerusalem, <\/span>lift up your voice with a shout,<\/span><\/span> lift it up, do not be afraid; <\/span>say to the towns of Judah, <\/span><\/span>\u2018Here is your God!\u2019 <\/span><\/span>See, the Sovereign Lord<\/span> comes with power,<\/span> and he rules with a mighty arm. <\/span><\/span>See, his reward is with him, <\/span>and his recompense accompanies him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n He tends his flock like a shepherd: <\/span>he gathers the lambs in his arms <\/span><\/span>and carries them close to his heart; <\/span>he gently leads those that have young.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Hymn: Singing the Faith 286 – What kind of love is this<\/p>\n \u201che gathers the lambs in his arms <\/span><\/span>and carries them close to his heart<\/span>\u201d.<\/p>\n Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,<\/p>\n Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,<\/p>\n Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.<\/p>\n Listen for God\u2019s voice in the quiet of your prayers.<\/p>\n Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.<\/p>\n Loving God, may I be so close to you today that I can feel your heartbeat. Amen.<\/p>\n Lord, as we prepare for your coming may we know the comfort that only you can bring. In our wilderness times you hold us tight and lead us and give us blessing upon blessing. Lord, in this Advent time, help us to be ready to hear the voices which cry out to us your Good News. Amen.<\/p>\n Lord, at this Advent time we lift up our hearts and voices in prayer and praise to you.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nIsaiah 40:1-11<\/span> New International Version – UK<\/span><\/h4>\n
Comfort for God\u2019s people<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a>God. <\/span><\/span>Every valley shall be raised up, <\/span>every mountain and hill made low; <\/span><\/span>the rough ground shall become level, <\/span>the rugged places a plain.<\/span><\/span> And the glory of the Lord<\/span> will be revealed, <\/span>and all people will see it together. <\/span><\/span>For the mouth of the Lord<\/span> has spoken.\u2019
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nPrayers and Reflection<\/h2>\n
Helpful Hymn:<\/h3>\n
Contemplation saying.<\/h3>\n
Let us pray together.<\/h3>\n
Contemplative Prayer.<\/h3>\n
Twitter Prayer<\/h3>\n
Facebook Prayer<\/h3>\n
Full Prayer<\/h3>\n