A Place of Quiet Rest

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Dear Lord,

Guard my heart. Make and keep it pure. Protect me from the schemes and attacks of the Evil One.

Fill me with Your love. Help me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Make me compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others around me.

Fill me with Your Spirit. May I be emptied of myself and filled with Jesus. Anoint my life and ministry with supernatural power.

Clothe me in humility. May I be poor in spirit. May I esteem all others as better than myself. May I not seek to impress others, but only to please You.

Make me a servant. Help me to serve You with gladness; to render each act of service as unto Christ; to joyously accept even “menial” or “unfulfilling” responsibilities.

Guard my tongue. May I speak only words that are true, words that help and heal, words that are wise and kind.

Give me wisdom and discernment. Help me to see all of life from Your point of view. May my life be ruled by the wisdom of Your Word.

Give me a grateful spirit. Help me to give thanks in everything. Help me to acknowledge and express the benefits and blessings that I have received from You and others. Protect me from a discontented heart and a murmuring tongue.

Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. May my life show the world how great You are. May I be willing to step out in faith when I cannot see the outcome, and may my life not be explainable in human terms.

Teach me the fear the Lord. Help me to practice the conscious, constant awareness of Your presence. Help me to live my life in light of the final judgment and as one who will give account to You.


This prayer is very appropriate for today, Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent.

To me, it expresses a sense of joy and peace -- just what this liturgical season is about -- amidst the craziness and chaos of the world at this time of the year.

Now that the midpoint of Advent has officially arrived, the excitement of Christmas continues to build for me! 10 days from now, I will be on the road to Dubuque and cannot wait to be home to celebrate the holidays with family and friends! I'm looking forward to giving and receiving a different type of present this year. It is a unique one that cannot be found in any retail store; however, it can be found in the "store of my heart" -- it is the PRESENCE of sharing and receiving love from my family and friends. To me, it's all about a little slogan a dear friend of Dad's shared with my last Christmas -- "Moments make memories! Cherish both!"

Today is the birthday of Tim, a dear Irish friend. I think it is very appropriate his birthday lands on the third Sunday of Advent. Tim is a very joyful and joy-filled young man whom is passionate about every aspect of his life! He is like the rose colored Advent candle -- filled with warmth, light and radiates Christ's light always! I think he'll be "tickled pink" (yes, pun intended here) when he reads this paragraph! Feliz Cumpleanos, Timateo!!!!

My wish for all whom read this post is for you to find blessings in the burdens of the season by finding the joy that is hidden within those burdens. May the message and spirit of Gaudete Sunday carry through your week and the days leading us to Christmas!