PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, December 23, 2018: 4th Sunday in Advent
For the Church, the world, for one another, and for the sake of all people, let us pray to the Lord.
A brief silence
Dear heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with the joyous expectation of Christmas! And they are also filled with a deep and restless yearning for your peace and justice, mercy and righteousness, to shine on our broken world and heal all our sad divisions. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, come quickly to save and heal us! Let us gaze upon the face of your dear Son, and know that your love shines there to bless, heal, redeem and save us all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Restore your Church, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that she may be saved. Fill her with your most Holy Spirit, so that through her witness, your Son’s self-offering may reach and redeem all people. Grant that those who have been fed the bread of tears because they bless the name of Jesus, may be filled with good things. Cast down their tormentors. Humble them, and lead them to repent of their evil.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless our children, O God, and let your face shine, that they may be saved. Help us share with them a childlike wonder and delight in the gifts of peace, mercy and joy that you give us in your Son.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Restore our congregation, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Grant that through words of Law and Gospel, and deeds of compassion and mercy, we may cause many hearts to leap with joy at the close approach of their Savior.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Restore your world, O God; let your face shine, that it may be saved. Cast down the haughty and selfish from places of power, and raise up rulers who rejoice in doing your will. Grant that all they do should be in accord with your will. Shield all who stand in harm’s way on our behalf from harm to body, mind or soul. Fill every heart with humility and compassion, so that the poor and hungry may be filled with good things. Remember your promise of mercy, and establish your peace among all nations, kindred, families and tribes upon earth.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Restore all who are afflicted by pain, grief, fear or despair, O God; let your face shine, that they might be saved. We pray especially for {List}. Remove the cup of tears from their lips, and remember unto them your promise of mercy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You have let your face shine upon our beloved dead, O God, and have bestowed on them the fullness of your salvation. With gratitude and affection, we commend them into your care. Grant comfort to those who still eat the bread and drink the cup of tears. Feed them, and all of us, with those good things given by your beloved Son – the Bread of Life and the Cup of Blessing. Grant that, as we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we may be filled with heavenly joy and peace, until that day when, with cherubim and seraphim, with the hosts of heaven, with the blessed Mother of our Lord and with the countless throngs of prophets, apostles, martyrs, saints, and the whole of your new creation, we may sing our praises gaze upon the blessed light of His face forever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For all these things; for all we lift before you in the silence of our hearts; and for everything that you know we need, we pray in the name and power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and commend into your mighty and merciful hands.
Amen.
