Worship by Giving the Gift of Prayer this Christmas

Discover a heartfelt Christmas tradition of giving personalized Scripture verses and prayers to loved ones, creating a lasting legacy of worship, prayer, and remembrance.

With all the hustle and bustle of the season, it can be challenging to keep our focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Between parties, shopping, baking, and wrapping, it’s all too easy to let the magnificence of Emmanuel, God with us, fade into the background. That’s why being intentional about worship during this busy season is so important.

Worship Tip: Give the Gift of Prayer

One of my favorite traditions during Christmas is giving the gift of a Scripture verse and prayer to each member of my family. This simple yet meaningful gesture has become a cherished part of our celebrations.

Each year, I prayerfully read through the Christmas story and prophecies about Christ’s birth, often in Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and John. As I read, I ask God to guide me to a specific verse for each person in my family. Once I’ve chosen a verse and crafted a short prayer, I write it on a blank index card.

I fold the card in half, turning it into a name card for our Christmas dinner table. While some years I decorate the cards with a festive flourish, most of the time I keep them simple—just a name, the verse, and the prayer, written in my trusty Sharpie. At Christmas dinner, each person shares their card with the family. This tradition has brought so much joy and meaning to our table, anchoring our hearts in worship and the beauty of Scripture.

A Gift that Keeps on Giving

n the margin of my Bible, I always write each person’s name, their Christmas verse, and the year. These notes have become a tangible reminder of my prayers and God’s faithfulness over the years. For loved ones who are no longer with us, seeing their names and verses in my Bible is an especially meaningful way to remember them. Each year, when I come across those familiar verses, I’m reminded of how they were a treasured part of my life and how their faith continues to inspire me.”

Throughout the year, whenever I encounter a Christmas verse I’ve prayed for someone, I stop and pray it again for them. Over time, certain verses have become long-standing prayers for my children—prayers I’ve lifted to God for ten years or more.

I also keep a small photo album filled with these prayer cards, along with slips of paper where I’ve written down other verses and prayers for my children and family. This little book has become a precious way to honor my loved ones, celebrate God’s work in their lives, and keep them close in my heart—even those who have gone on to be with the Lord. It’s a reminder that God’s promises and love endure through all seasons of life.

This simple act of prayer is a powerful, eternal gift. It’s also a beautiful way to spark conversations about Christ with family members who might not be as familiar with Scripture. Through this tradition, we’re not just celebrating Christmas—we’re pointing our loved ones to the One at the center of it all.

Adding this practice of memorial and remembrance adds depth to this tradition, making it not only a celebration of the season but also a way to honor the legacy of faith and love in your family. May your Christmas prayers become a treasure trove of memories and worship.

Today’s Worship Challenge:

Give the gift of prayer this Christmas. Choose a few Scriptures and craft personalized prayers for the people you love. Here’s how you can incorporate this into your celebrations:

1. Create Name Cards: Write the verses and prayers on index cards and use them as place cards for your Christmas dinner.
2. Tuck Verses into Stockings: Slip the cards into stockings as an extra surprise.
3. Wrap the Gift of Scripture: Write the verse and prayer on a small piece of paper, fold it, and place it inside a wrapped box as a symbolic gift under the tree.

Sample Prayers to Give this Christmas

To save you some time, here are a few examples of verses and prayers you can use:

• Luke 1:46-47—Praise and Rejoice
  Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” (NLT)
  Prayer: May ______ truly rejoice in the salvation of Christ this year.
• Luke 2:20—See and Hear
  “The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” (NASB)
  Prayer: May ______ see and hear God this year. Fill their heart with praise for Your glory.
• John 1:12—Believe
  “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (NLT)
  Prayer: May ______ believe and accept Your gift of salvation this year.
• Matthew 2:10—Joy
  “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” (NASB)
  Prayer: Fill ______’s heart with great joy as they see You at work in their life this year.
• Matthew 2:11—Worship
  “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (NLT)
  Prayer: Help ______ to see more of Christ this year. May they worship You more fully and offer their best gifts in service to You.

May Your Christmas Be Filled With Worship

This Christmas, let worship guide your celebrations. Give the gift of prayer—a gift that extends into eternity. Whether it’s through Scripture, prayer, or meaningful family traditions, let’s keep Christ at the center of all we do. And don’t forget: the most powerful gifts are often the simplest ones.

What verse will you choose for your family this year? Share your ideas or traditions in the comments—I’d love to hear them!

See you tomorrow for Day 17 of the Christmas Worship Challenge! 🎄