Here I Am, your Servant

When the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to tell her that she will give birth to the Savior, her response was, “Here I am, a servant. Let it be to me according to your word.”

When I stop and think about it, this is a breathtaking response!

In his book, The Jesus Way, Presbyterian pastor/scholar Eugene Peterson writes, “I am going to make a huge guess right here: I am guessing that this prayer was not only formative for Mary, but also Jesus.” I can imagine a Jewish mother handing this prayer on to her son because on the eve of his death, he prays nearly an identical prayer in the garden of Gethsemane: “Not my will but thy will be done.” Not my will, but thy will. Here I am your servant. Let it be with me according to your will.

My friend Tasha was telling me about her nephew years ago when he was trying to learn the Lord’s Prayer. The family would say it together each night before dinner. He would pray, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. My kingdom come, my will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”

Tasha said, “I fully understand how he could make the mistake! I know I have often prayed that God’s will would be done but, in my heart, I want my own will to be done.”

Robbie tells me that her father would often end his prayer time with the Lord’s prayer – but also with his own addition. He would pray. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And let it begin with me…

Here I am Lord your servant.

What would it look like if we made that our prayer? If we were steeped in it? What would it look like to understand our deepest identity as God’s servants? How might this affect not only our daily decisions but even our deepest dreams and ambitions? What if we were able to pray each morning, “Here I am Lord, your servant…” I wonder what opportunities God might put in front of us…

In this holy season of Advent, may Mary’s prayer become your prayer: Here, I am, Lord. Your servant. I’m willing. I’m open. I’m available. Give me eyes to see and a heart to feel. Let it be to me according to your word.”

Let us pray: God of Grace, we celebrate that through Jesus, you are bringing salvation, hope, love, peace, and joy to a world that is desperately in need. And as we receive these gifts, as they fill our lives, may they also be passed on through us – his servants. Amen.