ADVENT 1 - 29 nov
Loving God, this Advent we ask that you restore our souls. Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Open our hearts to the joy you promise in this season of anticipation.
Cover us, your people, with your Spirit. Infuse your church with enthusiasm and generosity. Guide your leaders to carry your truth that all may see your light.
We especially pray, Loving God, for your blessing upon The Rev. Sandra Fyfe, to be consecrated our bishop tomorrow: continue to embrace her with your presence.
Lord, Hear our prayer.
We ask you to be in the hearts of the leaders of the nations; as our part of the world is moving into physical darkness and cold, and as our health restrictions increase. Help all who lead to be beacons of light, to be bringers of hope, and to govern us all as you would have them do.
Lord, Hear our prayer.
Remind us to seek your light: in the mouths of those who speak to us, and in the hearts of those we encounter. Remind us to shine your light within our community, that we may make this a place where your extraordinary love is known through our ordinary actions.
Lord, Hear our prayer.
May you comfort the afflicted, inspire the stressed, relieve the afflicted, assure those who doubt. May all who are sick know the healing powers of your touch; may all who are carers share the grace of your mercy.
Lord, Hear our prayer.
Hear our thanks, you who has given us all the blessings of this life. For we celebrate your glory as we praise your name, we dwell in the delight of being your children, and we wait - keenly - for your Son once again.
Lord, Hear our prayer. Amen.
ADVENT 3 - 13 dec
As we watch and as we wait, we raise our prayers with joyful expectation:
We pray for God's church: those gathered in person, those gathered at home, those who struggle to find worshipping community in these times of isolation. We ask you to bless Bishop Sandra in her ministry, and to strengthen and support all in leadership. Help us all, as we long for your Kingdom, to live in the light of faith.
Before you, O Lord, we raise up the leaders of the nations. We ask you to bless the Queen, the Prime Minister, the Premier, and all who bear the mantle of authority. Guide their hearts and minds to set policy that will be of benefit to all your people, and your world.
We ask your abundant blessing on our world: for the ecosystems that struggle, and those who strive to protect them. For the nations and peoples in conflict, and those at peace. For systems and structures that are mutually beneficial and uphold the dignity of all, we pray.
Help us, God of companionship, to see you in our local community: in the eyes of those we meet in our daily errands, in the voices of those who speak to us, in our hearts as we engage the world around us. Help us to make and keep this as a place of kindness and grace, where your light shines brightly.
God of comfort, you break into the world with glory and power; we ask you to surround the hearts of all who suffer sickness and distress, to encourage their caregivers, and to strengthen those whose work is for our common good. Help us to reach out to one another, to reduce loneliness and isolation, and to lift up your love to those we love.
Jesus, you guard our souls and tend us as a shepherd; we remember those who have died, that they may rest in your peace and rise in glory. In our grief, comfort us with your promise that we will be reunited in the life to come.
We hold our thanksgivings before you; for the innumerable blessings of this life, for the love of family and friends, for our ministries, and for this time of waiting for you, until we join you in your new creation. .
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
ADVENT 4
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