Therefore, to you who believe, he is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”
(1 Peter 2:7-8, quoting Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14))

Christmas cards declare Jesus as Messiah, Emmanuel, Prince of Peace. This Advent season, I want to focus on some of his less familiar names or titles.
The passage above teaches that Jesus is the Stumbling Stone. Many people are willing to believe in a vaguely-defined God, a “force.” But they reject the God who took on flesh and became a human baby in a particular place and on a particular day in history, who lived an impossibly perfect life, who died to pay the penalty for their sins, and who rose again in glory. They stumble over the incarnate God, Jesus.

Grieve over someone you know for whom Jesus is a stumbling block. Pray that somehow this Christmas, when they hear again the name of Jesus, the Christ child, he will become precious to them.

Here are some other prayer suggestions for this week:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can share Christ with someone this Christmas season, acknowledging that you are not responsible for the other person’s response.

2. Have you seen the Hacienda Victoria Christmas tree at the Children’s Check-in Desk? The ornaments list requested gifts for orphans in Rosarito, Mexico. Pray that every child at Hacienda Victoria will receive a gift from Calvary and that they will feel Jesus’ love through these gifts. Pray that the gifts will arrive safely in time for Christmas.

3. Please continue to pray for those recovering from surgery, including Sam Dixon and Roger Marvel. Nick DonVito’s sciatica is improving slowly but steadily, and he is able to sit and even drive for short periods. Pray for patience and complete healing.

4. Lift up Todd Dixon and his team who are preparing for the Calvary Christmas parties on Dec. 13 & 14. Ask God to provide the energy, time, and creativity they need.

5. I recently received this excellent prayer request:
“I want to thank God for our pastoral staff and elders. I am so thankful for godly men who are willing to do their best to listen to the Lord and lead His flock. I pray that their hearts will be encouraged by the Lord and by our body at Calvary. I ask the Lord to continue to pour out His Spirit and supernatural strength on them and give them wisdom. I want to pray that, as a congregation, we will be a joy to lead and that we will see ourselves as their fellow partners in loving and caring for the people of Calvary and the world.”

6. The Holy Spirit has really been convicting me lately of a critical spirit. Discover if you share this fault by asking Him to repeat in your ear every critical comment you make and every critical thought that crosses your mind in the course of a single day.

7. Thank the Lord for the individuals who will be baptized next Sunday between the two worship services. Ask Him to reward them for this step of obedience with a strong and tangible sense of His guiding hand in their lives.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert, Prayer Chair
Calvary Community Church of Brea