For this year’s Advent readings at The Austin Stone Community Church, we asked some of our Story Team artists to write poetic prayers that center around the birth of Jesus and the salvation that first came to us in a manger. We hope these prayers stir your heart to worship Jesus along with us.
GOD WITH US
Immanuel, God with us,
You, our Redeemer King, full of grace and glory,
came one holy night, to save us and change our story.
We were once prisoners of sin and affliction,
wretched, rebellious, and hardened to conviction.
We wandered in darkness and desert wastes,
finding nothing to satisfy our sinful tastes.
But Your saving provision, with us You came to share,
through the nearness of Your Son, and my sin for Him to bear.
Jesus came as Word and flesh to dwell in this fallen place,
to save us from ourselves and give us grace upon grace.
You promise You will never leave and will always be near.
This alone is all we need to cease every single fear.
It is because You are with us that we can endure
the darkness, the temptations, and the world’s allure.
Come what may, the seasons of suffering and plight,
for it is His love, His banner, His truth that sustains me through the darkest night!
You have trampled over death, and once for all defeated sin.
Now, no longer, am I mastered by this darkness within.
It is because of Your life and great sacrifice, that we can now sing,
O God, You are with us! O death, where is your sting?
