Connell Church of the Nazarene Devotionals

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for the love you show me through your son. Help me to receive the gift of your love, and celebrate it this season. Amen.

Read: Isaiah 2:1-5
Reflect: What are the promises the Lord gives about his coming kingdom? How will we know when this prophecy is fulfilled? Why did God give hints as to future plans before sending his son, and beginning his kingdom?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art-
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart!

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts along.
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me with the joy and hope of the Advent season. Help me to see how you are working now, and ground me in the hope of your coming again. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for the love you show me through your son. Help me to receive the gift of your love, and celebrate it this season. Amen.

Read: Mark 1:1-8
Reflect: Why did Jesus’ arrival need to be announced by a prophet? What is the significance of John’s baptism? How did John prepare people for Jesus’ ministry?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art-
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart!

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts along.
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me with the joy and hope of the Advent season. Help me to see how you are working now, and ground me in the hope of your coming again. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for the love you show me through your son. Help me to receive the gift of your love, and celebrate it this season. Amen.

Read: Psalm 72
Reflect: How does this prayer about a king teach us about Jesus? How does the king in this Psalm react to different groups of people? Why does such a king encourage the Psalmist to praise God?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art-
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart!

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts along.
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me with the joy and hope of the Advent season. Help me to see how you are working now, and ground me in the hope of your coming again. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, you have given me Your grace to help me grow and become the best Christian I can be. Help me to continue to grow deeper in your grace this week. Amen.

Read: Titus 3:1-11
Reflect: What is the value of being submissive to rulers and authorities? Why should Christians be submissive to rulers who do not share our value system? Has God worked in Christians in such a way to do away with our foolishness, and disobedience? How should we live in light of God’s work in our lives?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Amazing Grace”
Amazing Grace! how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me;
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright, shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

Closing Prayer: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, you have given me Your grace to help me grow and become the best Christian I can be. Help me to continue to grow deeper in your grace this week. Amen.

Read: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Reflect: What reasons does Paul give for praying for all people? How does the sacrifice of Jesus encourage us to pray? Why does Paul encourage Christians to live without anger or fighting?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Amazing Grace”
Amazing Grace! how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me;
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright, shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

Closing Prayer: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7