Friday Christmas Eve.

Matthew 2 (NIV)

The Magi Visit the Messiah

¹ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’

⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Lord we know that You are the only perfect parent. Thank You for loving our children more than we ever can or are able to. Thank You for listening and inspiring our prayers for our children. Help us to be faithful in standing by you as You provide the answers, strength and peace. Help us to see our part in this situation that our child is in, and to have the courage to do what ever we can and must do to help him or her. We confess our wrongs to you and ask that you redeem us and create in us a new heart. A heart that loves our children unconditionally. Help us to forgive each other and our children, and to understand that they are made in your image and you love them dearly. Dear Lord let this be the prayer of an obiedienty and fully commited heart. We now, and always allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into all understanding. In Jesus name we pray Amen

Colossians 4:2

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanks giving.