Advent God, As Christmas Frenetically Approaches...
Intercession
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
The Church of Christ
Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority
The local community
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Advent God, as Christmas frenetically approaches, minds tend to be full of busyness. Our churches are engaged in carol singing and delivering Christmas cards, in Christmas lunches and Christmas fetes. The national church will be looking for statistics of how many people attend Christmas services, and large Christmas collections will be given to worthy causes. Advent God, perhaps the birth itself on that first Christmas morning was a time of frenetic activity, for birth rarely happens in total peace and tranquillity.
But Advent God, may the busyness of your people and your church be directed towards increasing social justice. May we be so anxious about those many people who are homeless or hungry or rejected or chronically sad, that we are not satisfied merely to give via our church collections. Make us so determined to lobby our politicians that social equality is achieved not only in this country but also in countries where people barely subsist. And may we refuse to rest until this has been achieved.
For Advent God, you have provided communities to nurture your people. Just as children who grow up in loving and caring families become healthy and strong and confident within themselves, so will those who are hungry or homeless or rejected or chronically sad, learn to become healthy and strong and confident if they are properly nurtured by the community. Open up our eyes so that we may see these invisible people within our own community, and so that our seeing will result in practical action.
Advent God, the people looked forward to a saviour who would rid them of all evils by burning the dross in a great surge of heavenly fire, but you sent a baby. You sent a message of vulnerability and love and tenderness and care, and as you were seen on earth in the person of Jesus you poured your love and tenderness and care into and through all those who needed you. We hold in your presence now all those who need you....
And we remember too, Advent God, those whose Christmas has been cruelly shattered this year because someone they love has died. Hold them in your strong arms and carry them until they begin to heal. Reassure them that their loved one is now part of the great Community of Saints, living and loving with you. Support too those who dread Christmas because it brings such tragic and painful memories.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Church of Christ
Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority
The local community
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Advent God, as Christmas frenetically approaches, minds tend to be full of busyness. Our churches are engaged in carol singing and delivering Christmas cards, in Christmas lunches and Christmas fetes. The national church will be looking for statistics of how many people attend Christmas services, and large Christmas collections will be given to worthy causes. Advent God, perhaps the birth itself on that first Christmas morning was a time of frenetic activity, for birth rarely happens in total peace and tranquillity.
But Advent God, may the busyness of your people and your church be directed towards increasing social justice. May we be so anxious about those many people who are homeless or hungry or rejected or chronically sad, that we are not satisfied merely to give via our church collections. Make us so determined to lobby our politicians that social equality is achieved not only in this country but also in countries where people barely subsist. And may we refuse to rest until this has been achieved.
For Advent God, you have provided communities to nurture your people. Just as children who grow up in loving and caring families become healthy and strong and confident within themselves, so will those who are hungry or homeless or rejected or chronically sad, learn to become healthy and strong and confident if they are properly nurtured by the community. Open up our eyes so that we may see these invisible people within our own community, and so that our seeing will result in practical action.
Advent God, the people looked forward to a saviour who would rid them of all evils by burning the dross in a great surge of heavenly fire, but you sent a baby. You sent a message of vulnerability and love and tenderness and care, and as you were seen on earth in the person of Jesus you poured your love and tenderness and care into and through all those who needed you. We hold in your presence now all those who need you....
And we remember too, Advent God, those whose Christmas has been cruelly shattered this year because someone they love has died. Hold them in your strong arms and carry them until they begin to heal. Reassure them that their loved one is now part of the great Community of Saints, living and loving with you. Support too those who dread Christmas because it brings such tragic and painful memories.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
