Hello Friend. Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. Our focus on day eleven is surrendering our desires to God’s plans, discovering peace in yielding to the Lord.

Let us pray, Abba Father, we come to you with hearts longing to align ourselves with your divine will.

Your Word in Matthew 6:10 calls us to pray for your kingdom to come and Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We acknowledge that in surrendering our personal aspirations, we open ourselves to the greater plans you have for our lives.

Lord, help us to release our need for control and to trust in your perfect timing.

Teach us to embrace the practice of surrender, seeking your guidance in all that we do.

May we be sensitive to your voice, allowing it to lead us toward the path you have laid out for us.

As we yield to your will, grant us the peace that only you can provide—an assurance that we are precisely where we need to be.

Free us from fear and the burdens of worry and doubt, replacing them with clarity and a sense of purpose.

May this Advent season deepen our commitment to live in harmony with you, reflecting your love and grace in our actions.

Thank you for guiding us and for the beautiful plans you hold for our lives around a future and a hope found in God’s will.

Amen.

Hello Friend. Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. Our focus on day ten is on asking for God-super-sized dreams, with the rewards of heaven found in hope placed in God’s ability to do beyond what we ask, think, or even imagine.

Let us pray, Generous, Gracious, Giving, Papa God, we come before you with hearts open to the vast possibilities that lie within your heart and hands.

Your Word in Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that you can do immeasurably more than all we can ask, think or imagine.

Today, we seek to partner more with you as we dream boldly, envisioning dreams that exceed our own limitations or present day circumstances.

Help us to relinquish any doubts or fears that have hold us back, so we may fully trust in your infinite power.

Ignite in us a spark of anticipation as we imagine the incredible plans you have for our lives.

Teach us to dream in alignment with your will, entirely relying on your strength and guidance.

Lord, we ask that you fill our hearts with hope, encouraging us to step boldly into the future you have prepared for us.

Remind us that with you, all things are possible, and may this awareness give us the courage to pursue our God-given dreams.

As we journey through this season, let us remain steadfast in our faith, eagerly looking forward to the beautiful surprises that you have in store for us. Amen.

Jesus, we desire to be more like you as we pray for the workplace.

We come before you today, asking for your incredible favor to be at work in our lives.

May we embody your essence, as the Gospel of Luke beautifully captures—you grew in wisdom and stature and found favor with both God and man.

Jesus, we humbly seek that same favor to permeate our lives.

Lord, as Psalm 5:12 states, your favor surrounds the righteous like a shield. We envision this shield as an umbrella of divine love, protection, and provision over us in our workplaces, guiding us in our decisions and interactions.

In every encounter, may we bask in your grace, allowing it to cultivate supportive relationships that uplift and elevate one another.

Just like Jabez, we are eager to receive your blessings, recognizing that our journeys may have been marked by pain and disappointment. However, we confidently ask for proof of your favor—unusual kindness, unexpected opportunities, and heartfelt acceptance that astonishes us and those around us.

Help us lean into your heart, trusting in your unwavering goodness.

In your wonderful name, we pray. Amen.

Hello Friend. Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. Our focus on day eight is acknowledging God’s constant presence, with a reward of assurance that he is with us in every part of our daily life.

Let us pray, Papa God, we gather with praise and prayer, with hearts full of gratitude as we celebrate the beautiful truth that you are Immanuel—God is with us.

In Matthew 1:23, the evangelist and apostle, Matthew, the former tax collector, transformed into an apostle, reminds us of your promise that you are always present in our lives.

Thank you, Jesus. We cling to this assurance, especially in moments when we feel sad, isolated, or alone.

Lord, in times of uncertainty and turmoil, remind us that we are never abandoned; your presence surrounds us and uplifts us.

Help us to recognize the ways you are working in our lives, even when they are complex, difficult, and we cannot see or understand them.

Fill our hearts with the comforting knowledge that you walk alongside us every step of the way.

As we navigate the busyness of this season, may your spirit help us to pause to acknowledge your nearness.

Let your love wash over us, grounding us in hope and strengthening our faith.

May the awareness of your presence inspire us to reach out to others, extending your love and comfort to those who may also be feeling lost or alone.

Thank you for being our constant companion. You are with us every step of the way. Thank you, Holy Spirit, Amen.

Hello Friend. Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. Our theme on day nine is that bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers.

Let us pray. Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man, we come before you as you exemplified a secure heart rooted in the goodness of Father God. Help us to seek his will boldly and to lift our prayers with confidence, as encouraged in Philippians 4:6-7.

We thank you for the promise that we can bring our requests to you and that your peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds.

Help us to approach you in prayer with a spirit of confidence and boldness.

Teach us to lay aside our doubts and fears, coming with the full expectation that you hear us and can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

Ignite our faith, empowering us to bring our biggest dreams and deepest desires before you.

Lord, we seek not just answers but a deeper relationship with you.

May our prayers align with your will, and may we trust in your perfect timing and wisdom in all things.

As we boldly pray, let us experience a profound sense of your presence, filling us with hope and assurance.

May this season awaken in us a renewed commitment to seek you and explore the depths of your power in our lives. Amen.

Hello Friend. Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. Our focus on day seven is life found in seeking Christ's presence, with a prayer theme that leads to an overflowing joy in our hearts.

Let us pray, Dear Heavenly Father, we pause to ponder the profound joy that comes from your presence through your death, burial, and resurrection.

The first sermon in the book of Acts, as well as throughout the psalms, declares that in your presence, there is fullness of joy. We earnestly desire to experience that joy of the spirit in our hearts and lives.

Help us to recognize that true joy is not dependent on our circumstances but flows from a deep relationship with you.

As we draw near, may your joy overflow in every part of our lives, transforming our hearts and renewing our spirits.

Teach us to find joy in the simple moments—in laughter shared, in the beauty of creation, and in the love that surrounds us.

Lord, release any heaviness or sadness that may hold us back, so that the light of your energy, life, and joy may flood our souls.

May your joy lift our spirits and ignite a sparkle within us that reflects your spirit of hope and goodness.

As we embrace this season, let us carry your spirit to our homes, our workplaces, and into our daily interactions.

May we be instruments of your joy, sharing it freely and inviting others to encounter the hope and love found in Christ, we pray. Amen.

Hello Friend. Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. Our focus on day six is embracing God’s mercy in our lives and for others through Christ's presence, with a prayer theme that leads to freedom from guilt and shame.

Let us pray, Gracious Father, we come before you in awe of the magnificent power of your mercy.

Your Word in James 2:13 reminds us that mercy triumphs over judgment, and today we choose to embrace that truth with open hearts.

We ask that you flood our lives with Your transformative love, overshadowing any feelings of guilt and shame that weigh us down.

Help us to recognize that your mercy is not just a gift for ourselves, but a wellspring from which we can extend grace to others.

As we reflect on your unconditional love, may our hearts be softened to forgive those who have wronged us and to release any bitterness that may linger.

Lord, let the spirit of grace flow freely through us, reshaping our interactions and attitudes.

May we become vessels of your mercy, radiating love and understanding to everyone we encounter.

In this season of hope, may we unlock the shame and condemnation from others.

May the joy of the Lord flow through us to unburden those laboring under their past mistakes.

May all sense the spirit of faith, hope, and love flowing from Christ to others so they may sense a newfound freedom that comes from knowing that they are loved, accepted, and redeemed in you.

In the life-giving name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Hello Friend. Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. Our theme on day five is praying for softened hearts, with a reward of connection and empathy with others.

Let us pray, Gracious Savior and Lord, we come before you with a heartfelt desire for open hearts.

Your promise in Ezekiel 36:26 inspires us, reminding us that you can replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh, filled with compassion and understanding.

We ask that you soften our hearts and those around us, breaking down the walls that hinder deep connection.

Help us to embrace vulnerability, allowing us to engage with one another authentically.

Teach us to listen with empathy, to seek acceptance and understanding before judgment, and to love unconditionally.

For in this season of hope, we long to reflect your love in our relationships.

Jesus, help us so we may be instruments of your healing peace, spreading kindness and compassion wherever we go.

Guide us to recognize the pain and struggles of others and inspire us to respond with grace and support.

Lord, let our hearts be open to reconciliation and healing, both within ourselves and in our communities.

May each encounter be an opportunity to express your love and kindness, fostering deeper connections and enriching the lives of those around us.

Fill us with your Spirit, igniting a passion to love and serve one another, so that they may sense and feel the love of God through us.

Amen.