John Bunyan (Final Entry)
Dancing with Divines
December 23, 2021 (Thursday)
Twenty-Sixth Day of Advent
Final Entry
Divine
Today’s Divine is John Bunyan. He is best known for his book, “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, which has been translated into more than 200 languages and has never been out of print.
Entry
Prayer
O Giver of all good things, help me to have true charity, and to give with joyful selflessness as Elizabeth gave to Mary. Give me a heart of help that goes beyond this season, and calls me to a way of life with selfless care for others. Through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Sarah Goodhue
Dancing with Divines
December 22, 2021 (Wednesday)
Twenty-Fifth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Sarah Goodhue. She is best known for a poem that she wrote to comfort her family after her death.
Entry
Prayer
Gracious Father, Who sent Your Son into the world, in two days I shall feel the joys of Christmas and his holy birth. Mingled within these joys are many fears and worries; fears for what might be ahead and worries for where I might be. Lord, let me trust within Your promises of peace and goodwill, fulfilled through Christ Who left the manger to bear the pains of sin and death. These things He has put down by taking up a cross and grave; therefore, I offer You my trust and rest like Sarah Goodhue. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
John Flavel
Dancing with Divines
December 21, 2021 (Tuesday)
Twenty-Fourth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is John Flavel. After being removed from his pulpit during the Great Ejection, he continued to preach and care for his parishioners.
Entry
Prayer
Almighty God, Whose perfect love is written throughout the heavens, I marvel with a speechless awe at the light which testifies to it. The light of Christ, Your Son, which humbles kings and reveals, and reveals that every human being is more than their unworthiness. We are worth what Your great heart has deemed Your greatest treasure, and because of this we are redeemed and rescued from the darkness. For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours. Forever and ever. Amen.
Cotton Mather
Dancing with Divines
December 20, 2021 (Monday)
Twenty-Third Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Cotton Divine who was a leading figure in colonial America. Like his grandfather and father, Richard Mather and Increase Mather, he became a well-known pastor and theologian. Despite his many achievements, his role in the Salem witch trials has marred his legacy.
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Prayer
O Christ, Who binds the things that lead me to a heart of fear, bind me now unto Yourself that I might live with courage. Bind me to You by faith which is trusting in Your promises. Bind me to You by hope which is resting in Your guidance. Bind me to You by love which is care for the well-being of all. And give me joy in Your Good News just like the Christmas shepherds. I ask all this in Your great name. Amen.
Anne Hutchinson
Dancing with Divines
December 19, 2021 (Sunday)
Twenty-Second Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Anne Hutchinson who was spiritual leader in religious reformer. Though coming from a Puritan background she disagreed with many Calvinist teachings, and later joined the Antinomian movement which taught free grace. Hutchinson was later banished from the Massachussets Bay Colony, and was killed in New Netherland during a raid by the Narragansett people.
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Prayer
From my places of exile I cry to You Emmanuel, and ask that You would bring me joy and comfort for my sorrows. Come and turn my present mourning into dancing, and thank You for the times which You have done this in the past. Also, come unto those in other places of exile, and soothe their griefs with comfort and joy that they might sing Your praises. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
Increase Mather
Dancing with Divines
December 18, 2021 (Saturday)
Twenty-First Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Increase Mather who was the son of Richard Mather. Following in the footsteps of his father, he became a respected pastor and theologian. He also served as president of Harvard, and was the first person to receive a doctorate from the university.
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Prayer
O Christ, the child born unto us and the Son given unto us, I simply offer thanks to God that You came into this world. You left the throne above to sit with us below, and You shed the form of glory to bear our lowly form. You walked among us and truly understand us, and even as You reign above You still understand us. These things and even more are cause for celebration, and with joy I praise Your gracious name in the feasts that are before me. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Richard Sibbes
Dancing with Divines
December 17, 2021 (Friday)
Twentieth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the Anglican Puritan Richard Sibbes. He was known for his devotionals which were filled with warmth and emotion. After his death many of his writings were published by Thomas Goodwin and Philip Nye.
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Prayer
To the God of Mary, Who is praised with song and voice, I join her holy hymn and celebrate the things she knew. Through Christ You have brought down the powerful from their thrones. Through Christ You have lifted up the lowly and fed the hungry good things. Through Christ You have made the rich to go off empty-handed. And through Christ You have freed all things from the power and curse of sin and death. Blessed be Your great name. Amen.
Samuel Rutherford
Dancing with Divines
December 16, 2021 (Thursday)
Nineteenth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the Scottish pastor Samuel Rutherford. He was a member of the Westminster Assembly, and his writings have been called “a bundle of myrrh whose ointment and perfume would revive and gladden the hearts of many generations”.
Entry
Prayer
O Gracious Word and Power Who shows the steadfast love of God, I place my trust in You this day and take Your light and life with joy. I acknowledge the feelings that are roadblocks to my faith, and I acknowledge the experiences that have made doubt my companion. I thank You for these things which pave the path before me, and may they turn from fainted stones to flashing gems that call for praise. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Margaret Hoby
Dancing with Divines
December 15, 2021 (Wednesday)
Eighteenth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the Puritan noblewoman Margaret Hoby. Her diaries were the earliest known ones that were written by a woman in English, and they do not have great theological insights or spiritual epiphanies. Instead, Lady Hoby’s accounts depict the ins and outs of daily life, and present the reader with an authentic faith and an ordinary piety.
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Prayer
Almighty God, I simply pray thank You for Your presence in the ordinary and mundane, and thank You for Your gracious hand in the normal things from day to day. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who came to dwell among us. Amen.
Isaac Ambrose
Dancing with Divines
December 14, 2021 (Tuesday)
Seventeenth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the Puritan mystic Isaac Ambrose. He was known for his warm and welcoming spirituality, and his opponents spoke highly of him for the kindness that he showed to all people.
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Prayer
O Keeper of the stars and source of all salvation, I thank You for the many lights that guide me on my journey. Grant me Your mercy and grace to reach my destination, and grant me Your protection from all dangers found along the way. Let me not make my home in the signs that speak of Jesus, and may I follow them to Him as the Magi did so long ago. To you be all blessing and glory forever and ever. Amen.