Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
the conviction of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1 ESV)
As I write this, I’ve been reflecting on my goals for the coming year—spiritual, relational, financial, and in other areas of my life. Maybe you’ve been doing some of the same thinking and praying recently. In the midst of this, I was reminded of a song I first heard by Amy Grant, “Grown Up Christmas List,” which includes these lyrics:
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end,
This is my grown up Christmas list
Looking back on the major world events, political and economic turmoil, and the struggles faced by our family and friends throughout 2024, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness, protection, and provision. For that, I’m deeply grateful. Still, I find myself wishing that the hopes in my “grown-up Christmas list” could become a reality in our world today. Maybe it’s an optimistic, even unrealistic, wish—but it’s still worth praying for.
God,
As we say goodbye to the many facets of 2024 and enter into 2025, we thank you for your faithfulness, protection, and provision in our lives and in our world. We thank you that you go before us and invite us into a deeper relationship with you. We thank you that the callings to be your children and the command to love you and love each other are irrevocable. We thank you for our identity and purpose we have as we follow Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit within us, and we thank you for your ministry through us to this lost and dying world. Today, we pray that in 2025 this huge prayer that there would be no more lives torn apart, that wars would cease and not start, that hearts would be healed by your Spirit, that everyone would have a true friend, that justice, righteousness, truth, beauty and goodness would overpower the darkness around us, and that love would never end. Help us enter 2025 with a sense of HOPE in your goodness, in each other, and in this world, we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN.
God never changes his mind when he gives gifts or when he calls someone. (Romans 11:29 GW)
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV)
“My Grown Up Christmas List” lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc; Songwriters: David Foster / Linda Thompson