A Prayer for Those Who Feel Lonely at Christmas - Your Daily Prayer - December 20
Your Daily Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Clarence L. Haynes Jr., Crosswalk.com
A Prayer for Those Who Feel Lonely at Christmas
By Clarence Haynes
Bible Reading:
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18
Listen or Read Below:
The images we see of Christmas are typically of family gatherings, filled with smiles and laughter. That’s one reason they call it the most wonderful time of the year. If we are going to be honest, we should also probably call it the loneliest time of the year.
Many people don’t like to expose their loneliness, so they hide it with forced smiles that conceal how they genuinely feel underneath. After all, this is a season of celebration, so why ruin everyone else’s holiday with your feelings of loneliness? I know this feeling because I have experienced it myself. In 2010, my spouse passed away after a long battle with cancer. A few months later, our church had a Christmas gathering. I remember standing in the fellowship hall of our church, surrounded by kids running around, food, music, laughter, and everyone enjoying themselves. Yet, despite being surrounded by all these people, I felt alone. If you looked at my outward appearance, I looked fine. However, inwardly, I was not experiencing the joy that the holidays are supposed to bring.
The holiday season can cause these feelings to surface, especially for those who have lost loved ones or who have no immediate family nearby. This is also true for those who may be older or confined to their homes and unable to get out. These are the ones we cannot forget during this season.
There is a very high probability that someone you know may be experiencing the holiday blues of loneliness. Here are some eye-opening numbers from a recent Value Penguin survey of Americans:
- 61% of Americans will feel sad or lonely during the holiday season.
- 67% say it’s partly due to societal or cultural expectations.
- 49% say they don’t believe others acknowledge their feelings.
- 37% say they would skip the holidays altogether if they could.
With numbers like these, where has all the holiday cheer gone? Let’s not assume that everyone is experiencing it because clearly, they are not. There are many lonely people out there.
After God created Adam, the first thing he said was that it was not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). That truth has not changed. I want to encourage you to do something. Think about your circle. This can include those in your church, your community, or your circle of friends. Is there anyone in these groups who will spend Christmas alone? If so, then don’t let them. If they can leave the house, then invite them over. You probably have more than enough food that one more mouth won’t hurt at all. If they can’t get out, then spend time with them, bring some food, and share a meal. In the same way Christ came to a world that was lost and gave his life, let’s go to those who are lonely and give them community.
Let’s Pray:
Lord,
I pray for those who may be lonely this holiday season. Whether they grieve the loss of a loved one, are separated from family by distance, struggle with illness or age, or simply feel unseen amidst the holiday bustle, I first ask that they would experience the comfort of your presence. After that, I pray you would place in the hearts of your people to seek them out and not forget them in this holiday season. Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus by caring for those who are alone in this season. I ask that you bring people to mind who may be lonely so I can invite them to join in the holidays. Help me find them so they don’t have to spend this holiday season by themselves, and I can put these words of Jesus into practice:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in priso,n and you came to visit me.” - Matthew 25:35-36
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a dynamic speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club, dedicated to helping people live with purpose and clarity. In addition to his ministry work, Clarence has spent the last 13 years as a trusted financial educator, guiding thousands of people across the country—including employees at many Fortune 500 companies—toward lasting financial wellness. His unique ability to blend practical wisdom with spiritual insight equips people to thrive in every area of life.
He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.
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