How to Have All That You Need When You're Waiting

Read Together
Psalm 23

Light one candle and say together
The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need.
(from Psalm 23:1) 

Reflection

Have you ever written a Christmas list? Maybe you write one every year. They are very helpful for people who give us gifts because the list tells them what you need and what you want.  

I'm not sure about you, but generally, I assume that you haven't always gotten everything on that list. 

And yet, The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need. 

We can read this verse and still feel like we have a big list of unfulfilled needs (and wants and hopes and dreams). We can read the next few verses about lying down and being refreshed and wonder when we'll actually feel that feeling. 

And then, sometimes, when we start thinking about the unfulfilled needs in our lives, we can begin to feel guilty for not being more grateful. Yes, gratitude is important. But noticing our needs can be a really important practice during Advent, too. It allows us to spiritually wait on God.

Waiting is a big theme in the weeks leading up to Christmas. We practice patience when we open only one door a day on our Advent calendars. The gifts get wrapped and put under the tree and we won't know what those packages contain until Christmas day. We know there is a promise of something, but at Christmas, we don't often know what that something is. While Christmas isn't simply about the stuff, the waiting we do for that stuff can help us practice waiting on God for the deeper needs of our hearts. 

In Psalm 23, David isn't writing about life when it is perfect. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” Walking through the dark valleys in our life isn't enjoyable. We don't choose or want to be in those circumstances. And yet, this Psalm is filled with so many promises about who God is even when we're not where we want to be.  

If you're waiting for something right now, allow this season of Advent to lead you into deeper trust and comfort as you wait. He is your shepherd. He guides you and He is with you. Surely goodness and love with follow you all of the days of your life.

Talk About

  • What are the things you need and what are the things you want right now?
  • Are you where you want to be this season?
  • How can you use Advent as a time to grow closer to God and rely on Him, even when you’re still waiting for these things to change?

Pray Together
Lord, you are my shepherd. Help me see how you meet my needs. Refresh my soul. Guide me along the right path for Your name's sake. Lord, in this season of waiting, overflow my cup with your goodness and love. Let me dwell in your house forever.
Amen. 

Put it in Action
Is it hard to wait for something? Even if you've already written a Christmas list, write a list of things you want to pray for - not presents, but things only God can do. Then, start praying for them, and keep praying while you watch to see what God will do! 

To Go Deeper, Read
Isaiah 25:6-10a

More information about our Advent Prayer Challenge can be found here.