Mary the Mother of Jesus
Luke 1.30

Luke 1:30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God….” Why did Mary find favor with God? -
1. Mary lived a life of innocence because she had a pure heart! - Luke 1:34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
2. Mary lived a life of submission to the word of the Lord! - Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."
3. Mary’s life was controlled by faith in the Lord! – Luke 1:45 "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."
4. Mary praised the Lord for His goodness! - Luke 1:46 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord….”
5. Mary meditated on God’s involvement in her life! - Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
6. Mary was well acquainted with the trials of this life! - Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
7. Mary was loyal in times of adversity! - John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
8. Mary remained faithful over time! - Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
(Philippians 2:5 NKJV)

A Prayer of Praise

Holy Father
Open my mouth in praise to you
By opening my heart to Your lovingkindness
Through Your Divine word
And the knowledge of Your creation.
Your wondrous acts testify of Your tenderness
The sum of Your goodness cannot be taken.

The thrill of Your love is exhilarating
The confidence of Your mercy is a soothing elixir
The power of Your grace bridges hell with conquest.
Your justice is a loosed torrent
The dams of wickedness burst before it
Their remnant is lost beneath the swirling, foaming, rushing flood.

The joy of Your presence comforts the hopeless
He is lifted up from the abyss
He is carried by angel’s wings to the summit.
You and You alone are the Rock of triumph
You and You only rule the infinite with Your rod and Your cup.

Your holiness is exalted
Your righteousness a blazing torch that banishes darkness
Death retreats before You
And loss is reborn as glory by Your touch.
There is none like You
All Your creation is prostrate in Your presence.

Holy God, Holy One
Bless us with the tender touch of Your Divine hand
Continue to caress us with Your affection
Take not away from us the radiance of Your smile
Protect and guide our pilgrimage
Till we dwell redeemed and atoned before Your throne.