Daily Readings
I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”
Dec 22
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Checks and Balances
Think back to the last time you received an answer to a prayer. After the initial surge of gratitude, did the feeling last, or did you move on to another request and start the waiting process all over again? We tend to do a lot of asking in prayer, not a lot of thanking or praising. In today’s readings, we get a bird’s eye view of what real gratitude and praise look like, from Hannah offering her son, Samuel, to the Lord in return for her answered prayer, to Mary proclaiming the greatness of God to Elizabeth. We don’t have to go that far, but can we meet God halfway, offering real prayers of thanksgiving and praise for all God has done for us?
