Abstract
“The purpose and cause of the incarnation was that He might illuminate the world by His wisdom and excite it to the love of Himself.” – Peter Abelard
Advent 1
Therefore, keep awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he might find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say, I say to you all: Keep awake.
- Mark 13
Opening Prayer
Lord of Advent,
We look to your coming with anticipation and prepare ourselves to receive you. Help us to keep awake!
Awake to the world around us.
Awake to the needs of others.
Awake to the sorrow and fear.
Awake to the greed and anger.
Awake to the voices crying in the wilderness.
Give us the courage to offer
Hope in the face of hopelessness,
Peace where there is conflict,
Joy where there is despair
So that we may be ready to welcome your coming with joyful anticipation as we say ‘Come, Lord Jesus’.
Amen.
Advent 2
I will listen to what the Lord is saying for he is speaking peace to his people and to those who turn their hearts to him.
- Psalm 85
Opening Prayer
Gracious God,
We come before you today, knowing that you know all things, and we ask for awareness of your presence as we await the coming of your Son.
As we strive for the inner harmony and tranquillity that will bring us closer to you, we pray for your help to clear our minds of spite and recrimination that we may be filled with your peace.
Give us the grace to listen to you and to find you at all times in all that we do.
Show us your mercy, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
Amen.
Advent 3
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. My whole being shall exult in my God.
- Isaiah 61
Heavenly Father,
We proclaim your greatness and rejoice in your Love.
As we prepare for the coming of your Son the joy of anticipation fills our hearts and minds.
May we have the courage to share this joy with others and, like John, testify to the light of our Lord Jesus that, even in the midst of sorrow and tribulation, the joy that you share may give us the strength to proclaim your greatness.
May we understand that joy is a revelation of your glory and that we need to let go of the obstacles in our lives and welcome you. We pray that we may use this joy to counteract the natural ills of the world, to comfort those who mourn, and to bring justice to the oppressed.
Help us to follow Paul’s advice to give thanks in all circumstances and hold fast to what is good.
Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to a customer, service; to all, charity; to every child, a good example; to yourself, respect.
Lord of Hope,
The promise of the coming of your Kingdom has encouraged us through the centuries and through much persecution and danger. We pray that your Church today may continue to look forward with hope and fortitude, despite the obstacles in its path.
We ask your blessing on all who minister in your name, regardless of rank and power, that they will be guided by your Word.
We pray particularly for those who face persecution or death because of their faith, and ask that you give them the strength and hope to carry on, knowing that you travel with them through their trials.
Lord of Advent, we await your coming with hope.
Lord of Peace,
As the celebration of your birth draws nearer we remember that the angels sang of peace to all men of goodwill.
We remember today all those who long for peace, who are caught up in wars and atrocities not of their making, for the children and the elderly, the families who are forced to flee their homes. Give them courage and comfort them in their time of trouble.
We pray Lord for those in authority that they will strive to find solutions to end these conflicts and endeavour to put their grievances aside and work together in harmony.
We pray too for your blessing on all those who willingly go to work in these places to bring comfort and aid. Be with them and protect them.
Lord of Advent, we await your coming in peace.
Lord of Joy,
As we prepare for the feast of Christmas, we thank you for all the blessings that surround us, for our friends and families, for all the advantages that we often take for granted, and for the knowledge of your wonderful love for us. Help us to remember those for whom this season is not joyous, those who are lonely, in need or in despair, that we may reach out to them and share with them the material and spiritual comfort which we enjoy that they too might be able to rejoice in you.
Lord of Advent, we await your coming with joy.
Lord of Love,
We thank you, Heavenly Father, for all the love you give to us and ask your blessing on those we love. Send your healing spirit to those who are ill both in body and mind, and comfort those who mourn.
We pray, too, for the souls who have departed this life that they may rest in your peace.
Your love, O Lord, forever will we sing, from age to age we will proclaim your faithfulness.
Lord of Advent, we await your coming with love.
Amen.