December 2025

The following is a possible framework for the Witnessing of the Word. It can be personalised or altered: its purpose is to serve as an example of how this Saying might be used primarily in the context of a Prayer Group, but it may be used by individuals too. It is not intended to be definitive.  In the context of a group: the periods of silence should be appropriate for your group - probably not less than 5 minutes, or more than 15 minutes.

Saying for the month: Matthew 26.41 ‘Stay awake’ (NIV).

To begin the exercise, first spend a short while in relaxation and preparing to be still; you may want to relax your way through your muscles or you may find it helpful to become aware of the sounds around you and then put them aside as you offer this time of prayer to God.

Say this introductory invitation to prayer, then keep a further minute or two of silence:  ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11.28).

Introduction to the first silence - a preparation for listening with the mind:

‘Stay awake’.

We may be familiar with the idea that Advent offers us a time to be waiting and watching. Possibly it may be a time when we are actively waiting in the present. Whilst we might savour the future, is this a time to stay in the present, to be joyfully and fully present in the here and now? Perhaps we will find meaning in the act of our waiting?

In our gospel passage for December we note that Jesus asks his closest disciples, Peter, James and John, to watch and wait with him. Jesus wants them to watch and pray. For Jesus, a very difficult time is imminent and the presence of these three companions, watching, waiting, praying might have been a supportive, encouragement for him.

Perhaps they slept through and missed a really profound moment of their lives?  R.S. Thomas seems to suggest in the poem ‘Kneeling’ that really profound moments of our lives occur in the ‘in between’ times; in that time just before something happens. Might we stay awake and be alert for such moments?

In the traditional Advent readings of Luke chapter 2 we find three people who were most definitely alert, awake and waiting. Maybe they found meaning in their waiting, the report of their actions does seem to suggest so. As they lingered and loitered, prayed, listened in the temple they displayed a definite wakeful alertness. Amongst the hubbub and bustle of the comings and goings of Temple life they noticed the arrival of a small baby and were alert to who this was. They were awake, alert and clear-sighted, recognising and praising and singing over this beautiful saviour, the baby Messiah.

Being awake, alert and waiting perhaps continues for many years for Mary. Pain is predicted and she may need deep inner strength, given what is foretold. Watching, waiting and staying awake for events that we dread is so hard though we may learn profound lessons during this alert wakefulness. Especially we notice the silent, close

presence of our Lord, who lingers with us in our anguish.

Perhaps this Advent we might wish to make the most of this penitential season by intentionally spending some extra time, some time deliberately set aside to lean closer in to Jesus. To be awake and alert as we spend time with our dear friend Jesus is such a gift; it is the gift. Possibly you may picture this time as joining our Lord in lingering, wakefully loitering with intent in his presence?

We take this Saying into our minds, allowing it to speak to us: ‘Stay awake’.

A time is now kept for silence of the mind – perhaps between 5 and 15 minutes.  The silence concludes with a short thanksgiving, and/or feel free to repeat the Saying.

The first silence ends with the words: Father, we thank you for the gift of your Word.

Introduction to the second silence - a preparation for listening with the heart:

‘Stay awake’.

As we prepare to take our word into our hearts we might ponder that staying awake wisely is an Advent message that we return to at regular intervals.

We might remember the story Jesus told of the five wise and the five foolish bridesmaids (Matthew 25) and Jesus’ plea that we keep awake. Is it possible that we, like the foolish bridesmaids are napping, sleeping unprepared? Staying awake, waiting might require us to be trusting, patient, hopeful, and determined. Might we set our intentions to lean in and listen closely to Jesus during Advent, so we are more prepared and alert when the baby Messiah does arrive?

The apostle Paul also takes up this message, urging the Thessalonians to keep awake and sober (I Thessalonians 5:6). This seems to be another wake-up call. A call to whole life alertness and wakefulness; to being awake and aware. Our Fellowship’s method of contemplation involves our heads and our hearts. Maybe our wakefulness might do the same? Is our head, are our thoughts appropriately awake? Are we secure and protected by our hope of our salvation? Are our hearts ready? Are they filled with love and faith? It might be that if our heads and hearts are alert that we are prepared to face whatever each day brings and our spirits will be undaunted.

Jesus asked his close disciples to keep alert, to stay awake, to be with him and pray and wait. He asked them to be watching out for him and with him. They had proclaimed they were eager and ready for anything Godly. They promised to be faithful and yet they went to sleep. Is there a watchout message for us too, when Jesus suggests they need to pray earnestly for themselves as they are wandering into temptation without knowing they are in danger?

As we take our word into our hearts we might ponder how and what could be involved in order for us to be wakeful and alert during Advent, and talk it over with Jesus. What is his urging, ‘Stay awake’ going to mean for us this Advent?   

Now we take this Word into our hearts, as we allow Jesus’ words to speak in us, to let them touch us and let them work more deeply upon our lives.

‘Stay awake’.

A time is now kept for silence of the heart – perhaps between 5 and 15 minutes.

The second silence ends with the words: Father, we thank you that your Word is alive and within us.

Introduction to the time of intercession – taking God’s word outwards into the world.

‘Stay awake’.

Say the name of a person or a group of people, and after a short pause, repeat the saying. For example:

‘Alison and your family … “Stay awake”’.

As we allow the word to speak through us we might direct Jesus’ word towards those people and situations where people are unaware or unprepared? For our government, for our local councils. For so many areas of suffering and individuals on our hearts who need the touch and compassionate lingering of God close to them in their pain and suffering.

Conclude this time of intercession with words of thanksgiving: Father, we thank you that your Word has gone out through us to those for whom we pray.

The Conclusion

Feel free to use the Fellowship Prayer (below) or another closing prayer to conclude your time of contemplative prayer:

Loving Heavenly Father, we thank you for all your unsearchable riches which pour forth from you as light from the sun, in boundless profusion and generosity, whether received, ignored or rejected. And now we offer to you, in so far as we are able, as an emptiness to be filled with your divine fullness, ourselves, our souls and bodies; all that we are, all that we have and all that we do. Amen

You may wish to say the Grace together before departing.