Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Fifty States of Pray -- My Christmas Eve Prayer



Merry Christmas!!!

OK, I guess technically it's Christmas EVE...  But this is still a day that has "Christmas" in the title, so I'm going to wish you a merry one!

It's also the day for the Fifty States of Pray blogging event hosted by Mark Koopmans.  I'll let Mark share his thoughts behind it:

"About two months ago, I had a random thought.  Normally, these get me into trouble, but this one sounded like a great idea:
'Why not set aside a moment to reflect on the year that was and share some hopes for the next year?'
I’m calling it the 50 States of Pray event and I’d love to find at least one person (but the more the merrier) from each U.S. state to participate.
All that’s required is to take a moment and about 100 words. Then, on Dec. 24, 2013, please share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope and even a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future.
Here’s my simple goal behind 50 States of Pray:
'Is there not a better time to help make the world a better place than Christmastime?'
Deep down in my heart, I truly believe someone, somewhere will absolutely benefit from your words."

I thought this sounded like a wonderful idea and so I signed up to participate, representing the state I live in -- Indiana.

Yes -- my blog is called The Creative Outlet of StratPlayer and I normally use it to share my writing, my music, other creative pursuits, and my thoughts related to those things.  So why am I choosing to take part in an event that doesn't really tie to a creative activity?  Is my blog turning religious?

No -- this is and shall remain a blog that focuses on my writing, music, and other creative outlets I have.  But I do have these two points about today's prayer posting:

  • It's Christmas!  This is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, to share, to give gifts, and to express our love for those we care about.  Although I guess you could consider all the creative things I normally share with you on my blog to be a form of a gift, I think this blogging event gives me an opportunity to also share another kind of gift with you.

  • I think this post IS creative -- I'm going to offer you a prayer that I've written myself.  I'm not quoting someone else or just sharing a few bible quotes with you. I've even written each nine-syllable line into an ABAB rhyme scheme -- yes, it's a prayer in poetry!  ...and just when you thought it couldn't get any verse...  :)

Anyway, I hope that at this special time of the year you will indulge me a little, and allow me to offer you this:

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 A Christmas Prayer

Lord, I ask for Your blessing on each,

     and every person reading this post.

I pray that Your compassion may reach,

    wherever they may need You the most.


Please heal each body and soothe each ache;

     restore broken hearts; lighten their loads;

Any heavy burden -- may You take;

     turn all their steep paths to gentle roads.


Even if they don't believe Your creed

     please share Your blessings -- this I ask still.

Provide relief, whatever their need,

     let them see Your light, Your grace, Your will.


Lord, I ask that You may bless them all,

     on this joyful, holy Christmas day.

Please show Your love, let Your favor fall

     on all who read this -- Lord, this I pray.


(All images from Wikimedia Commons)

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Now and throughout the year -- thank you so much for reading!  Simply by stopping by and giving me some of your valuable time, you have offered me the best gift possible, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it!

This will be my last post for 2013.  I will be around sporadically but there won't be another new blog post until my next Battle of the Bands entry on January 1st. In the meantime, please take a little time to visit the other bloggers taking part in the Fifty States of Pray blogging event -- you can click on the link HERE.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a New Year filled with love, joy, happiness, and many glorious blessings!

43 comments:

  1. That is a wonderful prayer, Chris.
    God is Lord of Creation, so that fits perfectly with your blog. And He created the greatest gift of all for us - His Son.
    Have a blessed Christmas!!

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    1. Thank you Alex! Sorry I was awol for the actual event but I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas, and may 2014 be a year of great blessings for you!

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  2. Thank you for sharing this wonderful prayer.
    Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.
    Writer In Transit

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    1. Thank you Michelle! MY Christmas was wonderful, and I hope your Christmas was equally as blessed and peaceful!

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  3. Let them all see Your light.

    Have a wonderful Christmas.

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    1. Thank you! I hope your Christmas was joyous and filled with blessings!

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  4. That was a wonderful prayer. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thank you very much, Sarah! And a belated Merry Christmas to you, too!

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  5. I believe any music is praise whether secular or religious if it lifts the spirit up towards the Most High. Merry Christmas to You!

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    1. That's a wonderful thought, CW! And belated MErry Christmas to you, too!

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  6. And blessings reign down on you and yours
    May all of your hearts have open doors
    So that Jesus can reach in with love and light
    And work through you to brighten the night

    Merry Christmas!!!

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    1. Aw, thanks -- I love this!!!

      I hope your Christmas was wonderful, Robin!

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  7. Hi
    Good to be here again
    Indeed a wonderful and meaningful prayer for the day.
    Have a blessed day and a blessed year ahead
    Nice that you have decided to take a break until Jan
    Keep Going
    Best Regards
    Season's Greetings

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    1. Thank you very much, PV! I hope your Christmas was joyous and that your new year will be terrific!

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  8. Lovely! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Indiana from New Hampshire (or at least someone who lived there and still loves it).

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    1. Thanks! I'm sorry I missed the actual event day, but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you in New Hampshire!

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  9. I'm touched by your warm, beautiful prayer. Thank you.

    Great to meet you through this blogfest.

    A wonderful Christmas and New Year's to you.

    xoRobyn

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    1. Thank you very much, Robyn! It's great to meet you too, and I hope your holiday and new year are wonderful, too!

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  10. Beautiful prayer:) Loving this blog hop!
    Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
    xx

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    1. Thank you! It was a wonderful blog event -- too bad I missed it, but I'm glad that it went well!

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  11. God is good, Merry Christmas and blessing to you in the new year.

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    1. God is good, indeed! And Merry Christmas and blessings to you, too!

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  12. beauty!
    merry christmas & happy new year!!

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    1. Thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too!

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  13. A beautiful prayer!

    Thank you, Chris and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

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    1. Thank you, Michael! And a belated Merry Christmas to you, too!

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  14. Wow I love your prayer! Hope you had a blessed Christmas. :-)

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    1. Thank you, Misha! I hope your Christmas was wonderful!

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  15. I think you did a fab job sharing your thoughts. So glad to encounter you here and wish you a musically abundant 2014!

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    1. Thank you Dobson! That's a wonderful wish! I Wish you the same!

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  16. Hi Chris - I really loved your prayer and the words conveyed .. enjoy the blessed time that we're lucky to share in at this time of year ..

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. Thank you very much, Hilary! I hope your Christmas and New Year are filled with blessings!

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  17. Lovely prayer. It's great to meet you under these circumstances! New follower.

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    1. Thank you, Lee! Glad to have you as a follower -- I think we've ran into each other through DL's WRiTE CLub over the last few years also, Hope your Christmas was wonderful!

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  18. Such a beautiful prayer! Blessings to you and yours too! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you so much! Merry Christmas, great blessings,and Happy New Year to you, too!

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  19. A truly beautiful post, Chris. Thank you. May your New Year bring many wonderful memories to you and your family.

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    1. Thank you so much, Miranda! I hope the New Year is wonderful for you and your family also!

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  20. Thank you. This is a beautiful prayer. May all your creative pursuits in the coming year be a blessing.

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    1. Thank you Sharon! I wish you a fabulous New Year also!

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  21. That was lovely. I didn't realize you lived in IN. Leandra Wallace does, I think, and Christine Rains lives in Bloomington, which is where I grew up. I'm wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2014! :-)

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    1. Thank you very much, Lexa. I'm a Hoosier in Golden Dome territory -- a transplanted Michigander now living in the south -- well, south of Michigan, at least, even if only by a few miles. ;)

      I'm wishing you and your family a great and happy 2014 also!

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  22. That was beautiful. Thank you for your prayer!

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Don't be shy -- feel free to comment. I really appreciate your thoughts.