Third Sunday of Advent
December 17, 2023
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126 or Luke 1:47-55
I Thess. 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Eternal and holy God, nurturing your people in times of trouble and distress, cajoling them in times of ease and apathy, lifting them up in times of despair and depression, creating a new vision in times of plateaus, we come before you on this advent journey needing your mercy and grace.
Give to us a sense that you have anointed us for the challenges of our day.
Give us concern for the oppressed and the broken-hearted.
Give us concern for prisoners and rid us of the desire only to have them put away.
Give compassion for those who mourn.
Give us a passion for justice which will not let us rest until all of your children have enough to eat at the table of life.
Give us a passion for honesty and integrity and save us in our common life from reducing our political life to a pursuit of power and domination.
Give us a passion for peace and the will to find other ways than war to solve the differences of humankind.
Make us aware of the ways of your child, Jesus, in the living of our days. Make us and mould us, O God, and may we know that you have not finished your work in us. Make us a people who know gratitude, and knowing gratitude know the joy of praise and thanksgiving. Give us a zest for life which puts bounce into our steps and a warm welcome and embrace of each of your children placed in our path.
We ask your care today for those whose health has become vulnerable and for those who are walking through dark valleys. Sustain them and give them hope and courage. Amen
December 17, 2023
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126 or Luke 1:47-55
I Thess. 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Eternal and holy God, nurturing your people in times of trouble and distress, cajoling them in times of ease and apathy, lifting them up in times of despair and depression, creating a new vision in times of plateaus, we come before you on this advent journey needing your mercy and grace.
Give to us a sense that you have anointed us for the challenges of our day.
Give us concern for the oppressed and the broken-hearted.
Give us concern for prisoners and rid us of the desire only to have them put away.
Give compassion for those who mourn.
Give us a passion for justice which will not let us rest until all of your children have enough to eat at the table of life.
Give us a passion for honesty and integrity and save us in our common life from reducing our political life to a pursuit of power and domination.
Give us a passion for peace and the will to find other ways than war to solve the differences of humankind.
Make us aware of the ways of your child, Jesus, in the living of our days. Make us and mould us, O God, and may we know that you have not finished your work in us. Make us a people who know gratitude, and knowing gratitude know the joy of praise and thanksgiving. Give us a zest for life which puts bounce into our steps and a warm welcome and embrace of each of your children placed in our path.
We ask your care today for those whose health has become vulnerable and for those who are walking through dark valleys. Sustain them and give them hope and courage. Amen