Journey to ChristmasExemple

## Your prayer has been heard Today we continue exploring the story of Jesus’ relatives: Elizabeth and Zechariah. Yesterday we joined them in their disappointment and yearning. Today we meet Zechariah in the temple. It’s business as usual: he is attending to his regular religious routine, when all of a sudden, the unexpected happens. ‘Your prayer has been heard,’ an angel says to Zechariah. Our prayers have been heard. They never disappear. God collects every single one of them. Psalm 56 says: ‘You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.’ (Psalm 56:8 NLT) ‘Your prayer has been heard.’ How do I feel when I hear that sentence? What have I been believing for, bringing to God, and waiting for a long time? I name them in quiet before Him now. And after each one, I say to myself, ‘My prayer has been heard.’ ### Pause and pray God, bring encouragement to all those I know who have been praying, believing, and waiting for a long time. I name them before You. May they know that their prayers have been heard. ### Pause and pray The name John means ‘God has been gracious – has shown favour.’ One of the meanings of the word gracious in the Scriptures is ‘to show kindness.’ It is in God’s nature to respond to my hopes and needs with graciousness and with kindness. How can I, unapologetically and with an open heart, receive His goodness? God, in this Advent season, I recognise Your gracious nature and I and yield to Your kindness towards me. You are my gift this Christmas, and I receive You. Amen.