1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:10,400 Speaker 1: Life Audio. You're listening to Everyday Prayers with Million Praying Moms, 2 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:13,640 Speaker 1: where we're dedicated to helping moms pray God's word for 3 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:17,320 Speaker 1: their families in the areas they need at most. I'm 4 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:20,919 Speaker 1: your host, Nicolette Belle. Over the last decade, we've helped 5 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:24,280 Speaker 1: thousands of moms make prayer a priority for their families. 6 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: Our mission is to help you do the same. Prayer 7 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,360 Speaker 1: is not a last resort. It's our first and best 8 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:35,159 Speaker 1: response to the challenges of parenting, a partnership for the 9 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:39,599 Speaker 1: hearts of our children that God invites us into. Today's 10 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,879 Speaker 1: devotion is written by Stacy Thacker, author of ten books, 11 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:46,880 Speaker 1: including our brand new book, Every Day Prayers for Christmas. 12 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 1: To learn more about Stacy, or to learn more about 13 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 1: how you can get involved in the ministry of Million 14 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: Praying Moms, visit Today's show notes or Millionprayingmoms dot Com. 15 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 1: After a word from our sponsors, we'll pray together for 16 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 1: our children. 17 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 2: Believe in the light while you have the light. Believe 18 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 2: in the light that you may become suns of light. 19 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:14,320 Speaker 2: John twelve thirty six. My favorite night of the year 20 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:16,960 Speaker 2: is the candlelight service at my church on Christmas Eve. 21 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 2: The tagline for the service is Night of four thousand Lights. 22 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 2: It's no lie because my church warship center is massive, 23 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:27,479 Speaker 2: and on Christmas Eve every seat is filled, and then 24 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 2: some after we sing and the Christmas story is shared. 25 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 2: Our senior pastor starts with one candle and he passes 26 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 2: the light to another person, and soon it's pasted the 27 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 2: entire room. Once every candle is lit, we sing silent 28 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 2: night and raise our candles higher and higher with each stanza, 29 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 2: until our hands are raised high and the light fills 30 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 2: the room. Even with many near misses, dripping wax and 31 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 2: stressed out parents of little ones, It's one of the 32 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 2: most beautiful representations of what happens when light is received, passed, 33 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 2: and multiplied to think about. In John eleven, Jesus raises 34 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 2: his good friend Lazarus from the dead. The miracle rock 35 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 2: the local community and set into motion rather quickly the 36 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:13,640 Speaker 2: events that would ultimately lead to Jesus's own death on 37 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 2: the cross and his resurrection three days later. It is 38 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 2: within this immediate context that we find Jesus teaching and 39 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 2: calling the crowds to believe in him. So Jesus said 40 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 2: to them, the light is among you. For a little 41 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 2: while longer walk while you have the light, lest darkness 42 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 2: overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does 43 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 2: not know where he is going. While you have the light. 44 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 2: Believe in the light that you may become sons of light. 45 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 2: John twelve thirty five through thirty six. Jesus knew his 46 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 2: time was short, and he urged the crowds to put 47 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,160 Speaker 2: their faith in him before it was too late. His 48 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 2: invitation comes with this assurance. When you believe in the light, 49 00:02:56,160 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 2: you yourself will become children of light, as children of life. 50 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 2: You will have the light of Christ within you, and 51 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 2: His light will shine through you, just like on Christmas Eve, 52 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 2: when four thousand candles are lit and held high. As 53 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 2: followers of Jesus Christ, we carry his light with us 54 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 2: wherever we go. And sometimes at Christmas, when our hearts 55 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 2: are stirred to believe more, our light shines a little brighter, 56 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 2: and we'll sing that old gospel tune, This little light 57 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 2: of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Let's pray, Father, 58 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 2: thank you that you give us the right to become 59 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 2: your children. When we believe in the light. May we 60 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 2: always be aware that as children of light, we carry 61 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 2: the light of Jesus everywhere we go in Jesus' name. Amen. 62 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: I hope you're enjoying reading along with us this month 63 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: in our new book, every Day Prayers for Christmas. Grab 64 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: your copy and a few forgifts wherever books are sold. 65 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 1: If you love the Everyday Prayers podcast, consider joining our 66 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:58,839 Speaker 1: community with a ten dollars monthly donation through Patreon. When 67 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: you join, you automatically receive a new downloadable scripture inspired 68 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 1: prayer calendar every month, plus the devotions and prayers from 69 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 1: this month in written form, along with an invitation to 70 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,839 Speaker 1: our monthly live mom chat. Learn more in today's show 71 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:20,159 Speaker 1: notes or at Million Prayingmoms dot com. Until next time, friends, 72 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 1: the Lord bless you and keep you. Make His face 73 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 1: shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the 74 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.