Luke 1:10-12 (prepare for the Lord...)

Welcome God every morning before your work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com). All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Then...the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the alter of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. Luke 1:10-12

Living Faith snippets: "There's much to ponder in the story of John the Baptist's conception and birth. We're moved to consider Zechariah's faith, and our own, in the presence of God and His ways." by Amy Welborn

Sister Francelle's devotion: Read her devotion titled "Love‏" at http://sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com/. A few snippets: "Dearest Ones, For me, the Christmas Season is summed up in one word, LOVE! Love is self-sacrificing, which means it always costs something. It hurts to put others first. Love requires us to believe in people even though they may fail us many times. Because we love people, we don't say some of the things we want to say - we refrain from pointing out their faults. We can't do this alone for love comes from God. But God gives us the strength and the courage to love the unloveable. "Above all, have an intense love for one another. Love covers a multitude of sins. A new commandment I give to you that you love one another just as I have loved you." These are the farewell words of Jesus to his best friends. Wrap yourself around somebody this Christmas, someone needs your Love!"

God sightings: Share ways we have encountered God in our lives (miracles!).

* Beth O'Connor shared: "My 7 yr old son, Tom, is in 2nd grade at our parish school. While preparing for First Reconciliation, his teacher taught them to give a blessing by making a cross on the person's forehead with a thumb and saying, "[Name], may God bless you now and always." He now has to give each of us one every night and will even bless the phone if one of us is not home at bedtime. Now, my almost 2 year old daughter, Catherine, also wants to be part of it - a full hand to the head and saying, "Blesssssssssss". They are really God to me in these moments of their child-like faith."

* "Praise and thanksgiving: You open yourself up to hearing from God when you praise Him for who He is and what He has done, and thank Him for it. Praise and thanksgiving invite God's presence into your life. Choose to praise and thank God no matter what your current circumstances. Acknowledging that He is in control in all situations will draw you closer to Him and help you recognize Him at work." author unknown

ProLife news: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ & http://www.priestsforlife.org/
* Let's pray for courage to communicate the ProLife message through Christ to those around us (John 14:6)...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).

Our Prayers: Prayer to End Abortion, chastity, our enemies, our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, loss of loved ones, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Kathy Ayers brain surgery, Mike Castle (Rachelle/Isaac, eye infection), Jason Peters (health of son JP), Carolyn McKissack (Bailee with Crohn's), Joe Levisky (medical issues), Rob Ouellette (St. Patrick's prayer list), Pat Castle (Mom's sinus infection), Rich Reich (Granny's health problems), Liz Curry (friend Bill)

Faith Quote: Steph Spader shared this quote. "There are very few people who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into his hands, and let themselves be formed by his grace." St Ignatius

Through Christ for ProLife,
Pat
Phil 4:13

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml. Reflection on readings at http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” 'If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him.'

* Fasting: Let's fast from things that takes our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, judgment, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).
* Defend the unborn: 'Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die' (Prov 24:11). 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you' (Jer 1:5). 'It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might lie as you wish' Blessed Mother Teresa.

* Evangelization: Let's make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ's example of selfless love, mercy, and service.

Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!