Day 3: Repentance Brings Revival | 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting | 2026
Day 3: Repentance Brings Revival On Day 3, we look at Joel 2 and the powerful connection between fasting, repentance, and restoration. Fasting is not merely a diet; it is an altar where we rend our hearts before God. Discover how true repentance reopens the flow of the Spirit in our lives and our church.
Day 3: Repentance Brings Revival
Week 1: Awakening & Consecration
““Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
In our verse for today, Joel speaks into a time of national crisis. The land is devastated, the people are shaken, and God calls them not just to fix their behaviour, but to return to Him "with all your heart." He connects this return with fasting. Fasting is a way of saying, "Lord, I am taking this seriously. I am humbling myself. I am making room."
An Altar, Not a Diet
Jentezen Franklin calls fasting a "discipline God expects". We see in Joel 2 that when God’s people fasted and returned, restoration and revival followed. However, the key was not the outward act alone. God says, "Rend your heart and not your garments." He is not impressed by religious performance. He looks for hearts that are genuinely broken over sin and genuinely hungry for Him.
These 21 days are not a diet. They are an altar. As we fast, we are not trying to twist God’s arm; we are letting Him soften our hearts. We are saying, "Lord, I do not want to live on the edge of Your will. I want to return with all my heart." This includes repentance for personal sin, as well as standing before God on behalf of our church and our nation, admitting where we have drifted from His ways.
The Doorway to Intimacy
Repentance is not a harsh word. It is a beautiful word. It is the doorway back into intimacy. In his book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Jim Cymbala shares how the Brooklyn Tabernacle saw God move dramatically as people repented and cried out to God together. He notes that the church did not need better programmes first; it needed humility, honesty, and a return to seeking God in prayer. That pattern runs through every true revival.
Clearing the Pipes
At ANCC, our mission is to help people connect, grow, and use their God-given potential to make Jesus known. That mission is crippled when we live in unrepentant sin or quiet compromise. Repentance reopens the flow of grace and power. It clears the pipes so the water of the Spirit can run freely again.
Let Us Pray
Gracious Father, thank You that You call me to return, not to run away. I come back to You with all my heart. I repent of my sin, my pride, my compromise, and my unbelief. I also stand in the gap for my family, for ANCC, and for Britain.
We have not honoured You as we should. Please have mercy on us. Let true repentance mark these 21 days. Where there has been dryness and devastation, bring restoration and revival. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Day 2: Clean Hands, Pure Hearts | 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting | 2026
Day 2: Clean Hands, Pure Hearts On Day 2 of our prayer and fasting journey, we turn to Psalm 24. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? We explore why true spiritual authority comes not from fame or gifting, but from clean hands and a pure heart.
Day 2: Clean Hands, Pure Hearts
Week 1: Awakening & Consecration
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.”
Our verse for today speaks about access to the presence of God. The "mountain of the Lord" and "His holy place" are pictures of intimacy, worship, and spiritual authority. David asks a simple question: Who can stand there? The answer is surprising. It is not "the most gifted" or "the most famous," but the one with clean hands and a pure heart.
Outward Actions and Inward Motives
Clean hands speak of outward actions. Pure hearts speak of inward motives. Much of modern Christianity focuses on gifting and platform, but Scripture focuses on holiness and integrity.
In his book Pigs in the Parlour, Frank and Ida Mae Hammond emphasise that deliverance and spiritual warfare are not just about casting out demons; they are closely linked to repentance, forgiveness, and obedience. Dirty hands and divided hearts give the enemy room to operate. Clean hands and pure hearts close the door.
Honesty Over Perfection
This is not a call to perfectionism. It is a call to honesty. A pure heart is not a heart that never struggles; it is a heart that refuses to hide. It is quick to repent, quick to forgive, and quick to obey. A person with clean hands is not someone who has never sinned, but someone who keeps bringing their life under the blood of Jesus and walks in the light.
In his book Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting, Derek Prince shows how nations shift when God’s people humble themselves, confess their sins, and pray from a place of integrity. He writes that God is looking for "men and women with clean hands and pure hearts" who can stand before Him on behalf of their land. That is what I long for in ANCC.
A Safe Place for Restoration
We say we are a church of refuge and restoration, a place where people find a relationship with God instead of religion. That means we must be willing to live openly before God ourselves. As He cleanses our hearts and hands, we become safe people for others to open up to. Consequently, our prayers for Britain carry greater weight in the Spirit.
Let Us Pray
Holy Spirit, search me. I do not want to live with dirty hands or a divided heart. Show me any sin, compromise, or idol I have tolerated. I bring it into the light and ask for cleansing through the blood of Jesus.
Teach me to live honestly before You and before others. Make ANCC a house of clean hands and pure hearts, so that we can stand in Your presence and pray with authority for our families, our town, and our nation. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Day 1: Wake Up, Church! | 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting | 2026
Day 1: Wake Up, Church! Join us as we begin our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Today, we answer the urgent call to wake up from spiritual slumber. It is time to move beyond comfort and autopilot living to embrace a holy alertness for the sake of our church and our nation.
Day 1: Wake Up, Church!
Week 1: Awakening & Consecration
“This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
The verse Paul quotes here acts like a trumpet blast into a sleepy church. It is vital to note that this is addressed to believers, not unbelievers. It is entirely possible to belong to Jesus yet spiritually doze off. We can carry the Holy Spirit within us yet live as if the most important things in life are comfort, entertainment, and success.
The Danger of Spiritual Sleep
In his book The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes that God is always present, yet many believers are "unaware of His presence" because they are dulled in heart. That is precisely what spiritual sleep looks like. We still attend church and we might still serve, but our inner fire is low. We are more moved by a football result or a social media notification than by the Word of God or the lostness of people around us.
The Holy Spirit is calling ANCC to wake up. This is not a call to panic; it is a call to holy alertness. Ephesians 5 continues by discussing how to live wisely, how to make the most of every opportunity, and how to understand the Lord’s will.
What Does "Waking Up" Mean?
Waking up requires a shift in perspective.
Recognising the Time: It means acknowledging that time is short, eternity is real, and our lives matter.
Understanding the Battle: It means understanding that Britain is not just in a political crisis; it is in a spiritual battle. Families, young people, schools, and workplaces are contested ground.
Responding to the Spirit: In his book Why Revival Tarries, Leonard Ravenhill points out that the greatest tragedy is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.
Many revivals throughout history stalled simply because the church became content with less of God. We must not let that happen to us. I believe the Lord is igniting a fresh cry in us to say, "Revive us again."
A Call to Refuge and Restoration
ANCC is called to be a place of refuge and restoration. We must be a house that is hungry for God and righteousness, not merely a sleepy religious club. When we wake up, others will find a place to wake up too.
As we begin these 21 days, let us invite the light of Christ to shine on us. Let us not focus just on "the nation" or "the church out there," but on ourselves. Let Him show us where we have drifted into spiritual autopilot. Let Him wake us up to prayer, to His Word, to the needs around us, and to the reality of spiritual warfare.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus, I hear Your call. Wake me up from spiritual sleep. Forgive me for living on autopilot and for treating eternal things as if they are optional. Shine Your light on my heart and expose anything that dulls my hunger and silences my prayer.
Let these 21 days mark a turning point in my life and in ANCC. Wake us up as a church family so that Your light can shine through us to Britain and the nations. In Your precious name I pray. Amen.
Day 25: God With Us, God in Us
Happy Christmas! Today we celebrate the arrival of Jesus, but the story doesn't end in the stable. On Day 25, we unwrap the mystery that changes everything: Christ in you.
The Best Gift of All: From the Manger to the Heart
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 25 December 2025
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Merry Christmas!
We have finally arrived. The waiting is over. The candles are all lit, the carols are being sung, and hopefully, you are surrounded by the warmth of the season. Whether you are reading this amidst a pile of wrapping paper, in a quiet moment before the turkey goes in the oven, or perhaps feeling a bit lonely on this big day, I want to wish you a truly blessed Christmas.
For the last twenty-four days, we have been tracing a single thread through history. We started in the garden with a promise. We walked with Abraham, waited with the prophets, and stood in the stable with the shepherds. The theme has been constant: God is with us.
But today, on Christmas Day, I want to take you one step further.
The Apostle Paul talks about a "mystery" that was hidden for ages but is now revealed. This mystery is the climax of the entire Christmas story. It isn't just "God with us." It is "Christ in you."
This is a breathtaking shift.
"God with us" is amazing. It is the comfort of a friend walking beside us. It is the security of a Shepherd leading us. But "God in us" is transformational. It means that the baby born in Bethlehem didn't just come to live among us; He came to live within us.
When you put your trust in Jesus, the Spirit of the Living God takes up residence in your heart. You become the stable. You become the place where His glory dwells.
This changes how we face tomorrow. The decorations will come down. The tree will be packed away. January will arrive with its grey skies and routine. But you will not be facing it alone, or even just with a helper standing nearby. You will be facing it with the power of the Risen Christ living inside you.
Paul calls this "the hope of glory."
Hope in the Bible isn't wishful thinking. It isn't crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. It is a solid, concrete assurance. Because Christ is in you, you have the guarantee of a future that is glorious. It means that no matter what this next year throws at you, you have an inner resource that can never be depleted. You have His peace, His strength, and His love woven into your very DNA.
So, as you celebrate today, enjoy the gifts. Enjoy the food. Enjoy the company. But remember that the greatest gift isn't under the tree. The greatest gift is the One who has made His home in your heart.
The distance is gone. The separation is over. God is with us. God is for us. And, most miraculously of all, God is in us.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, we praise You today as our Saviour, our King, and our Friend. Thank You for the journey we have been on this Advent. We are blown away by the truth that You chose to live in us. May this reality change us from the inside out. As we celebrate today, fill us with Your deep joy and help us to carry the light of Christmas into the coming year. We love You, Lord. Amen.
Day 24: God With Us Forever
Christmas Eve is full of anticipation, but the best gift is one that will last forever. On Day 24, we open the ultimate promise of God’s eternal presence.
The Promise That Never Expires: A Christmas Eve Assurance
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 24 December 2025
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
Happy Christmas Eve!
We have made it. The chocolates in the calendar are almost gone. The presents are (hopefully) wrapped and under the tree. The fridge is stocked, and there is a hum of excitement in the air that you can almost touch. For children, tonight is the longest night of the year as they wait for morning. For adults, it is often a moment to finally sit down, breathe, and look at the lights.
On this holy night, as we stand on the edge of Christmas, I want to leave you with a promise that will last long after the decorations come down.
Throughout this series, we have looked at how God was with His people in the garden, in the desert, and in the manger. But the question that often haunts us is: "Will He stay?"
We live in a world where "forever" is a rare thing. People leave. Sometimes they move away for work. Sometimes relationships break down. Sometimes, tragically, death separates us from the ones we love. We are used to things ending. We are used to saying goodbye.
Because of this, many of us carry a deep, often unspoken fear of abandonment. We worry that if we mess up, or if we aren't interesting enough, or if life gets too hard, we will be left on our own.
But the writer of Hebrews gives us a promise from God that acts like an anchor for our souls: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
In the original Greek language, this sentence is packed with double negatives. It is emphatic. It is like God is saying, "No, I will not leave you; no, never, ever." He wants to remove every single shred of doubt from our minds.
It is interesting that this promise is linked to contentment. The verse starts by telling us not to love money. Why? Because money offers a false sense of security. We think that if we have enough in the bank, we will be safe. But money can disappear. Markets can crash. Wallets can be stolen.
God offers a better security. He offers His permanent presence.
This means that the "God With Us" we celebrate at Christmas is not a seasonal visitor. He doesn't just turn up for the festivities and then disappear when January hits and the credit card bills arrive. He is committed to you. He is with you for the highs, the lows, and the boring bits in between.
As you go to bed tonight, perhaps with the excitement of tomorrow bubbling away, let this truth settle deep in your heart. You have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. You have a Father who will never pack His bags and walk out on you.
Tomorrow we celebrate His arrival, but tonight we celebrate His staying power. He is here, and He is not going anywhere.
Prayer of the Day:
Father God, on this Christmas Eve, we are so grateful for the gift of Your presence. Thank You that You are not a temporary guest in our lives but a permanent resident. We praise You for the promise that You will never, ever leave us. As we sleep tonight, quiet our hearts with the knowledge that we are safe in Your hands, now and forever. Amen.
Day 23: God With Us in Love
It is the most famous verse in the Bible, but familiarity can sometimes dull its power. On Day 23, we look again at the ultimate proof of God’s love.
The Verse We Think We Know: Seeing God's Love with Fresh Eyes
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 23 December 2025
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Welcome to Day 23.
We are now agonizingly close to Christmas. The wrapping paper is likely all over the floor, the fridge is full of food, and the excitement is building. In the middle of this festive rush, we pause to read twenty-six words that might just be the most famous sentence in human history.
The danger with such a famous verse is that we can easily skim over it. We nod our heads and say, "Yes, I know that one," without letting the reality of it sink into our hearts.
But today, I want to invite you to read it slowly.
The verse begins with the motive: "For God so loved the world."
In our culture, the word "love" has become a bit thin. We use it for everything. We say we love our children, but in the same breath, we say we love pizza, or we love a new pair of shoes. When we use the same word for a deep relationship and a pepperoni slice, the meaning gets diluted.
God’s love is different. It is not just a warm feeling or a sentimental emotion. It is a force of nature. And crucially, it is a love that acts.
Notice the connection in the verse. God loved, so He gave.
You cannot have love without giving. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Love always seeks the best for the beloved, even if it costs the lover everything.
And the cost here was astronomical. He gave "his one and only Son."
At Christmas, we give gifts to people we care about. We might buy a watch for a partner or a toy for a child. These gifts cost us money. But God’s gift cost Him Himself. He didn't send an angel or a representative. He gave the most precious thing He had. He sent Jesus to be "God With Us," knowing full well that this mission would lead to the cross.
This is how we know—really know—that God is with us in love. We don't just have to guess. We don't have to look at a beautiful sunset and hope there is a loving God behind it. We can look at the manger, and we can look at the cross. Those are the tangible, historical proofs that God loves you.
He loves "the world." That includes the messy parts. It includes the people who feel unlovable. It includes you on your worst days just as much as on your best days.
So today, try to hear this verse as if it is the first time. God saw you. He loved you. And He gave everything to be with you. That is a love worth celebrating.
Prayer of the Day:
Father God, thank You for John 3:16. We confess that sometimes we treat these words as a cliché instead of a lifeline. We are overwhelmed by the depth of Your love. Thank You that You didn't just say You loved us, but You proved it by giving Your one and only Son. Help us to receive that love afresh today and to live with the security of knowing we are cherished by You. Amen.
Day 22: God With Us in Salvation
Jesus didn't come to start a club for perfect people. On Day 22, we find out who He was really looking for and why that is such good news for us.
Lost and Found: The Mission of the Messiah
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 22 December 2025
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Welcome to Day 22.
We are getting very close to Christmas now. As we look at the nativity scenes in our churches and homes, it is easy to get distracted by the "how" of Christmas. We marvel at how the star moved, how the angels sang, and how the virgin conceived. But today, Jesus tells us the "why."
Why did He come? Why did He leave the comfort of heaven for the dust of earth?
He gives us His mission statement in one short sentence: He came to seek and to save the lost.
He speaks these words in the house of a man named Zacchaeus. If you went to Sunday School, you probably remember Zacchaeus as the "wee little man" who climbed a sycamore tree. But to the people of Jericho, he wasn't a character in a children's song. He was a traitor. He was a chief tax collector who grew rich by cooperating with the Roman occupiers and ripping off his own neighbours. He was likely the most hated man in the city.
When Jesus walked through Jericho, He could have chosen to stay with the mayor, or the local rabbi, or a respected business leader. Instead, He stopped at the tree, looked up, and invited Himself to Zacchaeus’s house for tea. The crowd was horrified. They muttered, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner."
They didn't get it. They thought the Messiah came to congratulate the righteous. Jesus had to explain that He came to rescue the unrighteous.
Think about the feeling of losing something valuable. Maybe you have lost your keys, your wallet, or—God forbid—you have momentarily lost sight of your child in a busy supermarket. In that moment, your heart stops. You don't casually look around; you search frantically. You retrace your steps. You ignore everything else because the mission to find what is lost becomes the only thing that matters.
That is how God feels about you.
The Bible doesn't describe us as "rebels" who need to be crushed, but as "lost" things that need to be found. Being lost is a terrible feeling. It means you are disconnected from where you belong. You are vulnerable, confused, and unable to find your way home.
The beauty of the phrase "God With Us" is that He didn't wait for us to find our way back to Him. We couldn't. We were too lost. So, He came on a search and rescue mission. He entered the enemy territory of sin and death to track us down.
Salvation is not about us climbing a mountain to find God. It is about God coming down the mountain to find us.
So, if you feel far from God today, or if you feel like you have made too many mistakes to be welcome at His table, please read Luke 19:10 again. You are exactly the kind of person Jesus came for. He didn't come for the people who think they have it all together. He came for the lost. And if you let Him, He will find you, just like He found Zacchaeus.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the great Seeker. Thank You that You didn't come for the perfect, but for the lost. We admit that we have wandered away from You and tried to live life on our own terms. We are so grateful that You came to find us. Please come into our hearts today and bring Your salvation, just as You did for Zacchaeus. Amen.
Day 21: God With Us in Peace
The world defines peace as the absence of trouble, but Jesus offers something far better. On Day 21, we learn how to stay calm when the storm is raging.
The Gift You Can't Buy: Finding Peace in the Chaos
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 20 December 2025
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Welcome to Day 21.
We are now in the final few days before Christmas. By this stage, "peace" might feel like a distant dream. The shops are frantic. The traffic is terrible. Our to-do lists are longer than our arms. We often sing carols about "Silent Night" and "heavenly peace," but our reality is usually noisy, rushing, and slightly stressed.
In our modern world, we tend to define peace as the absence of something. We think we will be at peace when the noise stops, or when the arguments end, or when the bank balance is healthy. We view peace as a fragile vase that sits on a shelf; it looks beautiful, but the slightest knock will shatter it into a thousand pieces.
But in today’s verse, Jesus offers us a very different kind of peace.
He calls it "my peace." This is not a generic sense of calm. It is the specific, robust peace that Jesus Himself experienced. Think about His life. He was constantly surrounded by demands. Crowds pressed in on Him. Religious leaders plotted to kill Him. Even the weather threw storms at Him. Yet, through it all, He remained completely unruffled. He even slept in the back of a boat during a hurricane.
That is the peace He offers to give us. It is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of God in the middle of the trouble.
Jesus makes a clear distinction: "I do not give to you as the world gives." The world gives peace conditionally. It says, "If everything goes your way, then you can relax." The world’s peace is temporary and external. It depends on everything outside of you being perfect.
Jesus gives peace unconditionally. It is internal. It is a deep, settling anchor for the soul that holds firm regardless of what the weather is doing on the surface.
This is why He commands us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." That sounds almost impossible, doesn't it? But He isn't telling us to ignore reality or pretend that bad things aren't happening. He is telling us that we have a choice. We can choose to focus on the trouble, or we can choose to focus on the One who is with us.
If you are feeling anxious today, or if your heart is racing with all the things you need to do, stop for a moment. You don't need to escape to a desert island to find peace. You just need to receive the gift Jesus has left for you.
God is with us in peace. He offers a calm that doesn't make logical sense to the people around us. It is a peace that allows us to breathe deeply even when the deadline is looming. It allows us to smile even when the plans fall apart.
So today, stop chasing the world's version of peace. It will always slip through your fingers. Instead, open your hands and accept the peace of Christ. It is yours for the taking.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, we are so desperate for Your peace. The world around us is loud and chaotic, and our hearts often feel troubled. Thank You that You offer us a peace that is different from anything the world can give. Please anchor our souls in You today. When the storms come, help us to sleep in the boat like You did, trusting completely in the Father’s care. We receive Your peace now. Amen.
Day 20: God With Us in His Presence
John doesn't give us shepherds or kings; he gives us a cosmic explosion of truth. On Day 20, we explore what it means that God pitched His tent among us.
The God Who Moved In Next Door: Glory in the Ordinary
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 20 December 2025
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Welcome to Day 20.
We are now into the final stretch of our Advent journey.
If you have been reading through the Gospels during this season, you might have noticed that John is very different from Luke or Matthew. He doesn't mention shepherds, he doesn't mention wise men, and he doesn't even mention a manger. Instead, he starts with a cosmic poem. He zooms right out to the beginning of time and then zooms in on one earth-shattering fact: The Word became flesh.
This is the central mystery of Christmas. God, who is spirit, infinite, and invisible, took on skin and bone. He became fragile. He became touchable.
But I want to focus on the phrase "made his dwelling among us."
In the original Greek, this phrase literally translates to "he pitched his tent among us." To a Jewish reader, this would immediately bring to mind the Old Testament, when God’s presence dwelt in the Tabernacle—a literal tent that travelled with the people through the desert. Where the tent went, God went.
John is telling us that in Jesus, God has done it again. But this time, He hasn't moved into a tent made of fabric; He has moved into a body made of flesh. And He hasn't just visited us; He has moved into the neighbourhood.
Imagine if the King or the Prime Minister decided to move into the house next door to you. Not a palace down the road, but the semi-detached house right next to yours. Imagine seeing them taking the bins out or walking to the local shop. It would change everything about how you viewed them. They would no longer be a distant figure on the news; they would be a neighbour.
That is what Jesus did. He didn't stay in the "palace" of heaven. He came down and lived right in the middle of our messy, noisy, complicated humanity. He ate our food, walked our dusty roads, and laughed at our jokes. He made Himself completely accessible.
Verse 14 tells us that He came "full of grace and truth."
We often find it hard to balance these two things. We tend to be either all "truth," which can be harsh and unyielding, or all "grace," which can be soft and permissive. But Jesus is the perfect blend of both. He speaks the truth about our sin and our brokenness, yet He offers the grace to forgive and heal us. He is the only one who sees us exactly as we are (truth) and loves us completely anyway (grace).
So today, as you prepare for the final few days before Christmas, take comfort in this reality. God is not hiding from you. He is not locked away in a distant heaven where you cannot reach Him. He has pitched His tent right here. He is "With Us" in the most physical, tangible way possible.
You don't have to shout across the universe to be heard. You just have to talk to the One who moved in next door.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, thank You for becoming flesh. Thank You for pitching Your tent among us and moving into our neighbourhood. We are amazed that You chose to live in our broken world rather than staying distant in glory. Thank You for being full of grace and truth. Help us to see Your glory today, not in the spectacular, but in the nearness of Your presence. Amen.
Day 19: God With Us in Our Weakness
We often try to hide our weaknesses, but God chose to embrace human frailty. On Day 19, we look at how far Jesus went to be truly with us.
Stepping Down: The God Who Knows What It's Like
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 19 December 2025
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Welcome to Day 19.
There is a huge difference between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy is standing on the riverbank and shouting encouragement to someone who is drowning. It is kind, but it is distant. Empathy, on the other hand, is jumping into the freezing water to help them stay afloat. Empathy gets wet. Empathy gets cold. Empathy shares the experience.
Today’s reading from Philippians describes the greatest act of empathy the world has ever seen.
Paul tells us that Jesus, who was by nature God, did not cling to His divine privileges. He did not treat His status as a trophy to be guarded. Instead, He "made himself nothing."
The original Greek word used here is kenosis, which means "to empty." It is a staggering thought. The Creator of the universe emptied Himself of His glory. He swapped the throne of heaven for a cradle of straw. He swapped limitless power for the frailty of a human body.
This means that God knows what it is like to be weak.
When we think of God, we usually think of strength. We think of thunder, mountains, and vast oceans. But the message of Christmas is that God also understands limitation. Jesus knew what it was like to be exhausted after a long day of walking. He knew what it was like to be hungry. He knew what it was like to be misunderstood by His family and betrayed by His friends. He even knew what it was like to bleed.
He didn't just put on a human costume for thirty-three years. He fully entered into our experience. He became one of us.
This is incredibly important for us because we all have days where we feel weak. We have days where our bodies ache, where our emotions are frayed, and where we just feel like we can't cope. In those moments, it is easy to feel like God is disappointed in us. We assume He is looking down from heaven, wondering why we aren't stronger.
But Philippians 2 tells us that He understands. He isn't rolling His eyes at your weakness; He has felt it Himself.
Because He stepped down into our mess, He can comfort us from the inside. When you pray to Jesus, you are not praying to a distant, robotic deity who has no idea what pain feels like. You are praying to a Saviour who has scars. You are praying to a High Priest who is able to empathise with your weaknesses.
So, if you are feeling fragile today, you don't need to pretend to be a superhero. You don't need to put on a mask of strength for God. You can come to Him exactly as you are. He knows the weight you are carrying, and He is with you to help you bear it.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, thank You for stepping down from glory to be with us. We are amazed that You didn't cling to Your power but emptied Yourself to become a servant. Thank You that You understand our weakness. When we are tired, overwhelmed, or hurting, help us to remember that You have been there too. We find such comfort in knowing that You understand us completely. Amen.
Day 18: God With Us in Humility
We expect kings to be born in palaces, but God chose a feeding trough. On Day 18, we look at the manger to understand the true humility of Jesus.
The Throne of Straw: Meeting the Humble King
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 18 December 2025
“and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Welcome to Day 18.
If you have ever been to a children's nativity play, you will know that the manger is usually the centrepiece. It is often a nice, clean wooden box filled with bright yellow straw. It looks rustic and charming. We sing "Away in a Manger" and think about how sweet the scene is.
But if we strip away the Christmas card glamour, the reality of Luke 2:7 is actually quite shocking.
Mary placed the Son of God in a manger. A manger is not a cot. It is not a cradle. It is a feeding trough for farm animals. It is the place where donkeys and cattle slobber over their food. It is dirty, it smells, and it is full of germs.
This is where God chose to enter the world.
If we were writing the script, we surely would have done it differently. We would have booked the finest room in the finest hotel. We would have ensured there were silk sheets, a team of doctors, and a press conference ready to announce the arrival. Kings are supposed to be born in palaces, surrounded by luxury and power.
But God is a different kind of King. He didn't come to dominate us with His power; He came to woo us with His humility.
Theologians call this the "condescension" of God. That sounds like a negative word to us, but it actually means "to come down to the same level." God descended from the highest heights of heaven to the lowest depths of a stable. He went to the bottom of the ladder.
Why? I think it is so that no one would ever feel excluded.
If Jesus had been born in a palace, the shepherds would never have been allowed in to visit. The poor and the outcast would have been kept away by security guards. But because He was born in a stable, the doors were wide open. The lowest of the low were welcome at His bedside.
This manger scene shows us that God is "With Us" in our humility. He is not impressed by our status, our bank accounts, or our job titles. He is comfortable in the grit and grime of real life.
This challenges our own pride. We spend so much of our lives trying to climb up. We want to be important, respected, and comfortable. We want the best seat at the table. But Jesus, who deserved the very best seat in the universe, willingly took the lowest place.
St. Paul later wrote that Jesus "made himself nothing" for our sake. The manger is the first step on a journey that would lead all the way to the cross. It is a visual reminder that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is not found in how many servants you have, but in how many people you serve.
So today, as you look at your Christmas decorations, take a moment to really look at the manger. Let it remind you that we serve a humble King. And let it challenge you to look for ways to be humble today, perhaps by serving someone else when no one is watching.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, we are humbled by Your humility. It is hard for us to grasp that You, the King of Glory, would choose to sleep in a feeding trough. Thank You for coming all the way down to reach us. Please strip away our pride today. Help us to stop trying to be important and instead follow Your example of serving others with a humble heart. Amen.
Day 17: God With Us in Our Worship
The Magi travelled hundreds of miles just to bow down. On Day 17, we learn that true worship is not about the songs we sing, but the posture of our hearts.
Bending the Knee: What True Worship Looks Like
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 17 December 2025
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Welcome to Day 17.
When we hear the word "worship," most of us immediately think of music. We think of a church band, a pipe organ, or perhaps our favourite carol playing on the radio. We tend to associate worship with the things we do with our voices.
But in today’s reading, the very first act of worship in the New Testament doesn't involve a single note of music. It involves a posture.
We are looking at the arrival of the Magi, often called the Wise Men. We don't know exactly how many there were, but we know they were significant figures. They were scholars, astronomers, and likely men of great wealth and status in their own country. They were used to people bowing to them. They were used to being the most important people in the room.
Yet, when they find Jesus, they do something shocking. They do not stand tall and shake His hand. They do not offer Him some advice. The text says they "bowed down."
In the original language, this implies falling prostrate on the ground. Imagine that scene for a moment. These dignified, wealthy, grown men are face-down in the dust before a toddler. They completely abandoned their own dignity to acknowledge His.
This is the heart of worship. It is a "bending of the knee." It is the decision to make ourselves small so that God can be big.
Sometimes we struggle with worship because we are holding onto our pride. We are worried about what we look like or what others might think. But the Magi teach us that you cannot truly worship Jesus while standing on your own pedestal. You have to step down.
The second thing they did was open their treasures. They didn't just give Jesus a polite token; they gave Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were gifts fit for royalty. They were incredibly expensive.
This challenges me. So often, I give God the leftovers of my life. I give Him the spare change of my time or the last dregs of my energy after a long day at work. I fit Him in when it is convenient.
But true worship always costs us something. It might cost us our time, our money, or our reputation. As King David once said in the Old Testament, "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
God is with us in our worship. When we bow our hearts and offer Him our best, we are connecting with the very purpose we were created for. We are acknowledging that He is the King and we are not.
So today, think about what you are bringing to Him. You probably don't have a chest of gold, and that is fine. He doesn't need your money. He wants your heart. He wants your attention. He wants you to bow your will to His. That is the most precious gift you can lay before the King.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, we bow before You today. We acknowledge that You are the King of Kings and that You are worthy of all our praise. Forgive us for the times we have given You our leftovers. Like the Wise Men, we want to open the treasures of our hearts and give You our very best. We surrender our pride and our plans to You today. Amen.
Day 16: God With Us in Joy
We often confuse joy with happiness, but the angel’s message offers us something much deeper. On Day 16, we discover the "good news of great joy" that is available to everyone.
More Than Just Happiness: A Joy That Lasts
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 16 December 2025
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”
Welcome to Day 16.
We have passed the halfway point of December. By now, the Christmas season is in full swing. The radio is playing upbeat songs, the shops are bustling, and we are constantly being told that this is the "most wonderful time of the year." We are under a lot of pressure to be happy.
But if we are honest, happiness can be quite fragile.
Happiness usually depends on "happenings." If the sun is shining, if the traffic is light, and if our team wins the football match, we feel happy. But if the car breaks down, or if the turkey burns, or if a family member makes a snide comment, that happiness can evaporate in seconds. Happiness is like a thermometer; it goes up and down depending on the atmosphere.
The angel in Luke 2 does not offer the shepherds happiness. He offers them joy.
There is a massive difference. While happiness is a feeling based on circumstances, joy is a state of being based on truth. Joy is like a thermostat; it sets the temperature regardless of the weather outside.
Look at who received this message first. It was the shepherds. They were not living easy lives. They were out in the cold, working the night shift, likely tired and smelling of sheep. They were on the bottom rung of society's ladder. Yet, the angel tells them that this good news will cause "great joy."
This tells us that joy is not just for those who have their lives together. It is not just for the wealthy or the comfortable. It is for "all the people."
The reason this news brings joy is because of what it solves. The angel wasn't announcing a tax break or a holiday. He was announcing a Saviour. The deep ache in the human heart, the separation between us and God, was finally being fixed.
This means we can have joy even when we are not necessarily happy. You can be grieving a loss this Christmas and still have deep joy because you know that death is not the end. You can be worried about your finances and still have joy because you know God is your provider.
God is with us in joy because He is the source of it. C.S. Lewis once said that joy is the serious business of heaven. When Jesus was born, heaven touched earth, and that joy spilled over into our world.
So today, do not feel guilty if you don't feel "happy" every second of the day. You don't need to force a smile for the sake of the season. Instead, try to tap into the deep well of joy that comes from knowing Jesus. The circumstances of life change like the wind, but the "good news" the angel announced is a solid rock.
You are loved. You are rescued. God is with you. That is a reason for joy that no bad day can ever take away.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, thank You for the good news of great joy. We confess that we often chase after fleeting happiness instead of Your lasting joy. Please help us to tell the difference. When life is hard and our smiles feel forced, help us to find our strength in the deep knowledge that You are with us. Fill us with the joy of the Lord today. Amen.
Day 15: God With Us in the Supernatural
We all face situations that look like dead ends. On Day 15, we remember that the word "impossible" is not in God's dictionary.
Day 15 Advent Reflection: God With Us in the Supernatural
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 15 December 2025
“For no word from God will ever fail.”
Welcome to Day 15.
We are now deep into the story of the nativity. Yesterday we looked at Mary’s brave surrender. Today, we are looking at the reason why she could be so brave. It wasn't because she was naive or because she didn't understand how babies are made. She knew perfectly well that what the angel was describing was biologically impossible.
She asks the angel, "How will this be since I am a virgin?" It is a fair question. It is the question of logic. It is the question of science.
The angel Gabriel doesn't give her a lesson in biology. Instead, he points her to the supernatural character of God. He tells her about her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant in her old age, and then he drops this incredible truth: "For no word from God will ever fail."
You might know this verse from older translations as, "For nothing is impossible with God." Both phrases get to the same heart-stopping reality. God is not bound by the laws of physics. He wrote them, so He can edit them whenever He pleases.
We often live our lives within the boundaries of the "possible." We look at our bank accounts, our medical reports, or our broken relationships, and we calculate the odds. We are very good at spotting dead ends. We say things like, "That person will never change," or "This situation is beyond repair."
But the message of Advent is that God loves to work in the supernatural.
The entire Christmas story is a catalogue of impossibilities. A virgin conceiving. A star moving across the sky. God becoming a baby. None of this makes sense on a spreadsheet. If you take God out of the equation, the Christmas story falls apart. But once you factor Him in, the impossible becomes possible.
When the angel says that "no word from God will ever fail," he is reminding us that God’s power is linked to His promise. If God has said it, reality has to rearrange itself to make it happen.
Perhaps you are facing a brick wall today. Maybe you are looking at a situation in your life that seems completely hopeless. The doctors have shaken their heads. The bank has said no. The relationship seems dead.
In those moments, logic tells us to give up. But faith invites us to look up.
God is with us in the supernatural. He is not just a comforting presence for the easy days; He is a miracle-working God for the impossible days. He can make a way where there is no way. He can bring life to a womb that was closed, and He can bring light to a life that feels dark.
This doesn't mean we treat God like a vending machine for miracles. But it does mean we stop putting a full stop where God has put a comma. We can bring our "impossibles" to Him with confidence, knowing that He is the God of the breakthrough.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, we confess that we often limit You with our limited thinking. We look at our problems and think they are too big for You. Please forgive our lack of faith. Thank You that You are the God of the supernatural. Thank You that no word from You will ever fail. We bring our impossible situations to You today and ask for Your miracle-working power to break through. We choose to believe that with You, all things are possible. Amen.
Day 14: God With Us in Our Surrender
Surrender often sounds like defeat, but Mary shows us it is actually the path to victory. On Day 14, we witness the moment that changed history forever.
Day 14 Advent Reflection: God With Us in Our Surrender
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 14 December 2025
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”
Welcome to Day 14.
Today we are looking at one of the most pivotal moments in the entire Bible. It is the moment the door was unlocked from the inside.
We often see paintings of the Annunciation that make Mary look very passive. She is usually depicted sitting quietly, looking down, perhaps with a halo and a gentle smile. It all looks very serene and safe. But if we strip away the artistic gloss, we see that this was actually a moment of terrifying courage.
Mary was a young girl, likely a teenager. She lived in a culture where a pregnancy outside of marriage was not just a scandal; it was a crime punishable by death. When the angel Gabriel told her she was going to conceive a son, she knew exactly what that could cost her. She risked losing her reputation. She risked losing her fiancé, Joseph. She even risked losing her life.
Yet, in the face of all that fear, she spoke words of total surrender: "May your word to me be fulfilled."
In our modern world, "surrender" is not a very popular word. It usually implies losing a battle. It means waving a white flag, giving up territory, or admitting defeat. We are taught to be strong, to be in control, and to make things happen for ourselves.
But Mary teaches us that spiritual surrender is different. It is not about giving up; it is about opening up.
God had a plan to save the world, but He chose not to force it upon humanity. He waited for a partner. He waited for someone to say "yes." Mary’s surrender was not an act of weakness; it was an act of incredible strength. She was willing to let go of her own plans for her life to make room for God’s plans. She was willing to trust Him with her reputation and her future.
This is often the hardest part of our walk with God. We want Him to be "With Us," but we often want Him to be with us on our terms. We want Him to bless the plans we have already made. We want Him to fix our problems without changing our hearts.
True surrender means handing over the pen and letting God write the next chapter. It means saying, "Lord, I don't know where this is going, but I trust You enough to follow."
Perhaps God is asking for your surrender in a specific area today. Maybe it is a relationship you are holding on to too tightly. Maybe it is a career path that has become an idol. Or maybe it is just the need to be right in an argument.
It is scary to let go. It feels like falling. But remember who you are surrendering to. You are not surrendering to a tyrant; you are surrendering to a loving Father who knows you better than you know yourself.
Mary’s "yes" brought Jesus into the world. I wonder what beautiful things God could birth in our lives if we were brave enough to pray that same prayer today?
Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, we are amazed by Mary’s courage. We confess that we like to be in control and that surrender frightens us. Please give us the faith to trust You with our whole lives. We echo Mary’s prayer today: "I am the Lord’s servant." May Your will be done in my life, in my family, and in my future. We open our hands and our hearts to You. Amen.
Day 13: God With Us in the Unexpected
We often look for God in the spectacular, but He loves to show up in the small. On Day 13, we travel to Bethlehem to see why size doesn't matter to God.
Small Town, Big Promise: Finding God in the Ordinary
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 13 December 2025
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Welcome to Day 13.
We have officially tipped past the halfway mark of our Advent calendar. By now, the Christmas lights are up on the high street and the shops are full of people buying big, impressive gifts. We are culturally conditioned to think that "bigger is better." We are drawn to the blockbuster movies, the celebrity headlines, and the loudest voices in the room.
But today’s verse from Micah stops us in our tracks. It invites us to look away from the bright lights of the capital city and focus on a tiny, dusty village in the hills.
Micah is writing about where the Messiah will be born. If we were planning the arrival of a King, we would probably choose Rome, the centre of power. Or perhaps Athens, the centre of wisdom. At the very least, we would choose Jerusalem, the religious heart of the nation. We would want a location with prestige, infrastructure, and a bit of glory.
God, however, chooses Bethlehem.
To give you some context, Bethlehem was not a holiday destination. It was a "blink and you'll miss it" kind of place. It was small. It was insignificant. It was the sort of town that people left to go and find their fortune somewhere else. Yet, Micah predicts that this tiny village will be the launching pad for the Saviour of the World.
This tells us something profound about how God works. He loves to work in the unexpected.
He seems to delight in bypassing the proud and the powerful to set up camp among the humble and the ordinary. He doesn't need a palace to change history; He just needs a stable. He doesn't need an army; He just needs a teenage girl and a carpenter.
This is such good news for us. Most of us live lives that feel very "Bethlehem." We are not famous. We don't have massive platforms or endless resources. We go to work, we look after our families, we do the washing up, and we pay the bills. Sometimes we can feel like our lives are too small or too ordinary for God to do anything significant with them.
But the story of Advent is that God is with us in the mundane.
He is with you in the school run. He is with you in the quiet office. He is with you when you are making a cup of tea for a friend. He doesn't wait for you to become a "Jerusalem" before He uses you. He comes to you right where you are, in your own little Bethlehem.
So, if you are waiting for a big, dramatic sign from God, you might be looking in the wrong place. Try looking down. Try looking at the small things. God is often found in the places we least expect Him, turning the ordinary into something holy.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, thank You that Your ways are not our ways. Thank You that You chose humble Bethlehem as the birthplace of our King. We confess that we often overlook the small and the ordinary because we are looking for the spectacular. Please open our eyes to see You in the unexpected places of our lives today. Remind us that no place and no person is too small for You to use. Amen.
Day 12: God With Us in the Waiting Room of Life
Nobody enjoys sitting in a waiting room, but often that is exactly where we find ourselves. On Day 12, we discover why God’s timing is worth the wait.
The Perfect Moment: Why God Is Never Late
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 12 December 2025
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.”
Welcome to Day 12.
We are now halfway through our Advent journey.
If I were to ask you to name your least favourite place, I wonder if a "waiting room" would make the list. Whether it is at the dentist, the doctor's surgery, or the departure gate at an airport, there is something uniquely draining about a waiting room. The chairs are usually uncomfortable. The magazines are three years old. The clock on the wall seems to tick slower than anywhere else on earth.
In those moments, we feel stuck. We are powerless to make things move faster. We just have to sit there until our name is called.
For many of us, life can feel like one big waiting room. We wait for the right partner. We wait for a promotion. We wait for healing. We wait for a child to come back to faith. It is easy to sit in that space and wonder if God has forgotten to check His watch.
But today’s verse from Galatians tells us something vital about God. He is the Master of perfect timing.
Paul writes that Jesus came "when the set time had fully come." Other translations say "in the fullness of time."
This means that the first Christmas wasn't a random event. God didn't just spin a wheel and decide to drop Jesus into history on a whim. He waited until the exact, precise second that He had planned from the beginning of time. He waited until the world was ready. He waited until the stage was perfectly set.
To the people living back then, it must have felt like God was dragging His feet. It had been centuries since the last prophet spoke. The Roman Empire was crushing them. Hope felt very thin. But behind the scenes, God was lining everything up for the greatest moment in history.
He wasn't late. He was right on time.
This is such a hard lesson for us to learn because we live in a rush. We want things to happen yesterday. When God hits the "pause" button, we often interpret it as a "stop" button. We assume He doesn't care, or that He has missed His window of opportunity.
But God is never in a rush, and He is never late. If you are in a waiting room today, please know that it is not an accident. God is not ignoring you. He is preparing things that you cannot see yet. He is working on the details to ensure that when the answer comes, it comes at the "set time."
So, if you are tired of waiting, take heart. The same God who orchestrated the perfect timing of the Incarnation is the same God who is writing the timeline of your life. You can trust Him with the clock.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, we admit that we struggle with patience. We hate waiting, and we often worry that time is running out. Thank You for reminding us today that Your timing is perfect. Thank You that Jesus came at the exact right moment. Please give us peace in our own waiting rooms today. Help us to trust that You are working, even when we cannot see the hands of the clock moving. Amen.
Day 11: God With Us as Our Shepherd
Yesterday we looked at the Shepherd Psalm; today we meet the Shepherd in person. Join us on Day 11 to discover just how far Jesus is willing to go to keep us safe.
More Than Just a Guide: The Shepherd Who Stays
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 11 December 2025
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Welcome to Day 11.
Yesterday, we spent some time in the green pastures of Psalm 23. We looked at the beautiful picture of God as a Shepherd who leads and guides us. It is a comforting image, isn't it? But today, we are fast-forwarding a thousand years to the moment when Jesus stands up and effectively says, "I am the one David was writing about."
In John 10, Jesus makes a bold claim. He says, "I am the good shepherd."
In the ancient world, shepherding was a tough job. It wasn't about sitting on a grassy hill playing a flute. It was dangerous. There were wild animals, thieves, and harsh weather. Because of this, there were two types of shepherds.
First, there were the hired hands. These were people doing a job for money. They might look after the sheep when the sun was shining, but the moment a wolf appeared, they were gone. They didn't own the sheep, so they didn't love the sheep. Their own safety was more important to them than the flock.
Then, there was the true shepherd. This was the owner. He knew every sheep by name. He had birthed them, fed them, and cared for their wounds. If a wolf came, he didn't run. He stood between the danger and his flock.
Jesus tells us clearly which one He is. He is the Good Shepherd.
The word "good" here in the original language implies something beautiful and noble. He isn't just competent; He is magnificent. And the proof of His goodness is found in the second half of the verse: "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
This is where the shadow of the cross falls across the manger.
During Advent, we focus so much on the arrival of Jesus that we can sometimes forget why He arrived. He didn't come just to teach us good morals or to set a good example. He came to deal with the wolves. He came to confront sin, death, and evil—the things that were hunting us down.
He knew that the only way to save the sheep was to sacrifice the Shepherd.
This changes how we view "God With Us." He isn't with us just to hold our hand; He is with us to shield us. He took the blow that was meant for us. He absorbed the danger so that we could be safe.
If you are feeling vulnerable today, or if you feel like life is attacking you from all sides, please remember this: You are not looked after by a hired hand. You are not just a number on a spreadsheet to God. You belong to a Shepherd who has already proved His love in the ultimate way. He didn't run away when things got hard. He stayed. He fought for you. And He is still guarding you today.
We can sleep soundly tonight, not because there are no wolves in the world, but because there is a Shepherd standing at the gate.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Good Shepherd. Thank You that You are not like a hired hand who runs away when trouble comes. We are overwhelmed by the love that drove You to lay down Your life for us. Please help us to feel safe in Your care today. Protect us from the things that would harm our souls, and keep us close to You. Amen.
Day 10: God With Us in Every Step
Life is full of twists and turns, especially during the busy Christmas season. On Day 10, we turn to the most famous Psalm to find rest and direction.
The Shepherd Who Leads Us: Walking Through December Together
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 10 December 2025
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
Welcome to Day 10.
We have reached double figures in our Advent countdown. By this point in the month, life can often feel like it is moving at a hundred miles an hour. There are presents to buy, food to prepare, nativity plays to attend, and end-of-year deadlines to meet. It is easy to feel like we are just rushing from one thing to the next, hoping we don't forget anything important along the way.
In the middle of this frantic pace, Psalm 23 comes like a deep, calming breath.
It is likely the most famous passage in the entire Bible. We hear it at funerals, we see it on posters, and many of us learnt it by heart in Sunday School. But because it is so familiar, we sometimes miss the raw power of what David is saying.
David was a shepherd himself. He knew that sheep are not particularly clever animals. They are prone to wandering off, getting lost, or eating things they shouldn't. Without a shepherd, a sheep is in big trouble.
When David calls the Lord his "shepherd," he is acknowledging that he cannot navigate life on his own. He needs a guide.
The phrase "God With Us" takes on a very active meaning here. He isn't just with us as a spectator; He is with us as a leader. He is out in front, clearing the path and showing us the way.
Look at where He leads us. He leads us to "green pastures" and "quiet waters." This feels almost impossible in December. Our world is currently full of noise, bright lights, and crowded shops. Yet God promises that even now, He can lead us to a place of rest. He invites us to stop running for a moment and let Him refresh our souls.
He also guides us along the "right paths." This is such a reassurance when we have difficult decisions to make. Life is full of crossroads. We worry about our careers, our families, and our futures. We are terrified of taking a wrong turn. But the promise here is that if we keep our eyes on the Shepherd, He will ensure we walk the right way. We don't have to map out the entire journey ourselves; we just have to follow the One who knows the terrain.
Crucially, He does this "for his name’s sake." This means His reputation is staked on His ability to lead you safely. He isn't going to get lost. He isn't going to abandon you halfway up a mountain.
So, as you step out into your day today, try to picture the Shepherd walking ahead of you. Whether you are walking into a stressful meeting, a difficult family situation, or just the chaos of the supermarket, you are not wandering aimlessly. You are being led. God is with you in every single step.
Prayer of the Day:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Good Shepherd. We confess that we often try to go our own way and end up feeling tired and lost. Thank You that You offer us rest and guidance. Please lead us beside quiet waters today, even in the middle of a busy season. Help us to trust that You are guiding our steps and that You will never lead us astray. Amen.
Day 9: God With Us in His Presence
We often feel like God is distant or far away, but one name changes that forever. On Day 9, we look at the heartbeat of the Christmas story: Emmanuel.
The Name That Changes Everything: Meeting Emmanuel
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 9 December 2025
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)”
Welcome to Day 9.
If you had to sum up the entire message of the Bible in just three words, you could do a lot worse than the three words at the end of today's verse: God with us.
We have arrived at the New Testament in our journey. We have seen the promises in the Garden of Eden, we have heard the prophets pointing the way, and now, finally, the angel announces that it is happening. The baby is coming. And this baby has a name that defines His entire mission.
Emmanuel.
I think this might be one of the most comforting words in history.
Most religions in the world feature a god who is distant. They usually describe a deity who lives high up on a mountain or far away in the heavens. In those stories, it is up to the humans to do all the work. We have to climb the mountain, we have to follow the rules perfectly, or we have to make enough sacrifices to get God's attention. The direction of travel is always us trying to get up to God.
Christianity flips that completely on its head.
Emmanuel means that God came down to us. He didn't wait for us to sort ourselves out. He didn't wait until we were holy enough or good enough. He packed His bags and moved into the neighbourhood.
This is staggering when you really stop to think about it. The God who created the galaxies, the One who is holy and perfect, chose to become a human being. He chose to have fingerprints and footprints. He chose to feel hunger, tiredness, and cold. He chose to be limited by time and space, just like us.
Why would He do that?
He did it because He wants to be with us. He isn't interested in being a distant observer of your life. He wants to be involved. He wants to be present in your joy, and He wants to be present in your pain.
Many of us go through life feeling deeply lonely. We can be surrounded by people at a Christmas party and still feel isolated inside. We wonder if anyone really knows us or truly understands what we are carrying.
The message of Emmanuel is that you are never alone. There is no place you can go where God is not present. If you are in a hospital room today, He is there. If you are sitting in an empty house, He is there. If you are stressed at work, He is there.
He bridged the gap that we could never cross. So today, you don't need to shout to get God's attention. You don't need to climb a spiritual ladder to find Him. You just need to whisper His name. He is right there with you.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, we honour You today as Emmanuel. Thank You for leaving the glory of heaven to walk on this dusty earth with us. We are so grateful that we do not have a distant God who is indifferent to our struggles. Thank You that You are near. Help us to live today with the deep comfort of knowing that we are never, ever alone. Amen.