Unbound Prayer Partners: Seeing through the lens of Advent

November 28, 2016

Seeing through the lens of Advent Throughout the Advent/Christmas season, our weekly ePrayers include a special series of reflections on the upcoming Sunday readings. This reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent is from Unbound Writer/Editor Maureen Lunn. I recently took an online quiz that scored me based on how much of a "bubble" I live in. It asked questions like what type of work my parents did when I was growing up, what type of restaurants I like to frequent and how often I use public transportation. It was an interesting process of self-discovery, and I realized how many of my day-to-day habits prevent me from interacting with people who are different than me. The point the quiz made was that everyone sees the world through a certain lens, and we have to work hard to see things differently. Unbound provides a path for many of us to do just that — see things differently. When I first started working here, a communications staff member in Latin America, Henry Flores, shared that in the Unbound community, sponsored members are our bosses. He expressed that those of us who are employed by Unbound wouldn't have our jobs if it weren't for the thousands of sponsored members around the world who are working hard to lift themselves out of poverty with the help of their sponsors. How about that for a shift in perspective? In this week's second reading, Paul writes to the Romans, "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus. …" His appeal reminds us that the hard work we must apply to broaden our horizons, to see others through a lens different than the one that comes naturally to us, is not through our own power but through God's endurance and encouragement. We can prepare the way of the Lord this Advent by taking a moment to think about our own lens, our own perspective that might be separating us from others. In becoming one with the human family, Christ broke down divisions and ushered in peace and justice. As we continue in the season, let us be intentional in preparing the way for him by breaking down the divisions in our own hearts.

God of endurance and encouragement, help us to think in harmony with one another. As we seek to prepare the way for your Son during this season, empower us to see others through the eyes of Jesus and welcome one another as he has welcomed us. Through this perspective, may we glorify you. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, amen.

Blessings,
Unbound Prayer Team
P.S. We welcome you to submit your prayer requests to us. These prayers are offered in the chapel at Unbound's headquarters in Kansas City and are not shared publicly. Submit a prayer request.