Making Mary’s Prayer of Adoration Mine

When the Angel came to Mary, she responded with belief that God would work the impossible. But her faith isn’t the only area of her life to be modeled after. And as we approach Christmas Day, looking at her joyous proclamation of God’s faithfulness is a model of prayer that we all should follow.

Her prayer, the Magnificat has become a beautiful model of prayer over the last year for me. Often, I struggle with prayers of adoration. I burst forth with requests and can even muster up some prayers of thankfulness but when it comes to sitting at the feet of the Lord, adoring Him, I falter.

But Advent brings me back to the story of Christ’s birth and Mary’s proud proclamation of adoration for our God. 

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior -Luke 1:46-47, ESV

She wasn’t just offering up prayers, she was living a life that magnified who God is and what He had done in her life. Her submission to His will and desire that, no matter how difficult the path, her life be used as a living sacrifice, exemplify adoration in deed, not just words.

But the rest of her prayer shows us how eyes open to God’s mercies, ready to adore Him.

His mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
     he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
    he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty. -Luke 1:50-53, ESV

Her eyes sharply observe the mercy of God. She sees the strength He gives to the poor, the good things He fills the hungry with, and the remembrance He gives the lowly and forgotten.

Mary reminds me to open my eyes, see God at work, and respond with adoration. 

Can I praise Him this Advent?

Perhaps more necessary, can I open my eyes to see Him working? Instead of rushing through this season, can I slow my movements and slow my mind to bear witness to what God is doing around me? Maybe it’s observing the beautiful workings of Creation or asking a neighbor how God’s working in their life.

Today, I’m going to pray and thank God for what I see Him doing in my life. But beyond that, where is God at work in those around me? How can I look beyond myself and my circumstances draw my mind into the adoration of the Maker of the universe?

Take time today to copy one of the verses from Mary’s prayer and thank God for that aspect of who He is.