An Advent prayer

"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8

     Imagine God working at the potter's wheel, skillfully transforming you and your beloved country into something new, useful and beautiful. Let this be your Advent prayer and you will be restored, renewed, revitalized and refreshed in your spirit.

     In her book, "This is My Body. Creativity, Clay, and Change," Marjory Zoet Bankson describes the process of turning clay into fired pottery, offering a spiritual metaphor for change and transformation. Just as the basic elements of clay need to be grounded, kneaded, centered, shaped, finished and glazed, before finally fired-in the same way, God needs to do a similar work within your soul.

     God does such work through your prayers. Invite the divine Potter to cleanse you of any unconfessed sin you might be harboring consciously or unconsciously. Pray for yourself and for your nation. Ask God for personal and national spiritual cleansing and restoration. Perhaps there are behaviors and attitudes that need the divine Potter's special touch.

     Rather than let external circumstances and evil mold your attitudes, let God mold your spirit into something extraordinary through the timeless wisdom of the prophet Isaiah. Circumstances were very harsh, but his faith in God sustained and strengthened him. Isaiah's country suffered from severe economic oppression in the bitter aftermath of their former Babylonian captivity. In an effort to cope, his nation struggled to survive. Through it all, many had wandered far from God. God found them guilty of religious hypocrisy and unconfessed sin. The people needed to resubmit to their divine Potter's skillful hands, and be shaped anew.

     Although your situation may be quite different from Isaiah's, there are times when life is hard and every saint struggles to live faithfully. Sin is our common condition. When sin is unconfessed, it creates barriers between God and humans. It makes us unwilling or unable to pray. Confession is always good for the soul and restores people to spiritual intimacy with their Heavenly Parent.

     This is the good news of God. Where sin abounds, divine grace abounds more. Through your prayers, let God shape your soul anew. Do not fear, for you are always in good hands with the Almighty.

     Prayer: Divine Potter, Maker and Parent of my soul-hear my Advent prayers. Through the power of your Spirit, help me confess any sin in my life. Then bless me with spiritual renewal and refreshment. And for this Christmas season, I ask your special blessings of mercy and divine intervention for the healing of Zimbabwe. Amen.

Written by Rev. Dr. Sandy Bochonok
http://soulfoodministry.org
December 5, 2002
Permission is given to freely distribute this reflection throughout Zimbabwe.