Prayers and Hymns, December 14, 2025: Advent 3, A
ALL: Isaiah 35:1-10 (The wilderness rejoices when God comes to it)
SOLA/LSB: Psalm 146 (The Lord sets prisoners free, opens eyes of blind)
RCL/ELW: Ps. 146:5-10 (omits “do not put trust in rulers”)
or Luke 1:46b-55 (The Magnificat)
ALL: James 5:7-11 (Be patient until the Lord comes)
SOLA/LSB: Matthew 11:2-15 (Jesus addresses John’s disciples: blind see, poor hear the Gospel; violence attends coming of Kingdom)
RCL/ELW: Matthew 11:2-11 (Omits verses about violence)
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Opening Hymn: Awake, Awake, and Greet the New Morn: WOV #633, ELW #242
OR Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (may be sung to tune for “The Church’s One Foundation):
LBW #87, ELW #311 LSB #398
Hymn of the Day: Soul, Adorn Yourself With Gladness: LBW #224, ELW #488, 489 (489 is a pretty Hispanic tune)
OR All Earth is Hopeful: WOV #629, ELW #266
Communion 1: People, Look East: WOV #626, ELW #248
Communion 2: Hark the Glad Sound!: LBW #35, ELW #239, LSB #349
Closing Hymn: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: LBW#30, ELW #254, LSB #338
OR (especially if Magnificat is read) My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness: WOV #730, ELW #251
OR (ditto) My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord: LBW #180, ELW #573, LSB #934
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As we await the coming of Christ in mercy and majesty, let us pray for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their need.
A brief silence
How sweet are your words today, dear Lord! Thank you for refreshment along life’s often-dusty road. Thank you for hope that dawns unexpectedly in our heart’s wilderness. Thank you for Jesus, your sweetest Word of forgiveness, compassion, and life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant that in many and various ways, your Church constantly preaches the Good News of what Jesus has done: “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk; lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up; and the poor have good news preached to them.”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Establish this congregation, O Lord, in words and deeds of patience, mercy, and goodness. Help us to refresh the heavy-hearted, to heal those wounded by sin and sorrow, and to enlighten the innocent and the ignorant. Make this place a haven of safety and joy for all who trust in you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless your persecuted Church, and keep it patient, faithful and steadfast. Teach us to honor their witness and provide for their needs. Turn their tormentors from their evil ways.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Deepen the faith and increase the wisdom of your apprentices and journeyman in the art of discipleship. May all they learn from you may bring joy and enlightenment to others.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Conform our earthly rulers to your holy will. Let them give justice to the oppressed, and food to the hungry. Make them set free the unjustly imprisoned, and lift up those who are bowed down. Teach them to love the righteous, care for the stranger, sustain the orphan and widow, and frustrate the way of the wicked. Use the valor and competence of our military and first responders to accomplish your will in dangerous places. Speed the day when everyone may walk in safety and tranquility throughout this world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Shed the light of your merciful healing upon those whose lives are shadowed by sorrow or suffering, including: {List}. Give us grace to touch their lives with gentleness and hope. Give us words of forgiveness and encouragement. Give us strength to accompany them in their wilderness. And fulfil your promise to embrace us all in your everlasting arms.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Happy are those who, in this life, put their trust in you, dear Lord. Their hope has been fulfilled. Comfort all the bereaved whose grief runs deep. And we pray: Save us from folly and defend us from evil. Strengthen our faltering hands and make firm our feeble knees. Establish our hearts in steadfast patience and the spirit of encouragement. Lead us into Zion, where, with all the redeemed, we shall praise your glory, delight in your love, and see you face to face.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, grant to us, dear Father, for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
