Seventh Day of Christmas
O God,
We praise you that your Son was born into the challenging, rewarding, painful, blissful, terrible, and wonderful world in which we all live.
We praise you that because he lived a real life in the real world he walks with us not just with sympathy but with empathy.
We praise you that because of him we can live life fully as he did and that one day we will in him overcome like he did.
Amen.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
A Prayer for Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sixth Day of Christmas
We praise you, O God, that in your wisdom you caused your Son to be born to, to grow up in, and to relate to a family.
We praise you that by so doing you not only made clear the flesh and blood, nitty gritty, day to day experience of Jesus, but also underscored the importance of ours.
Thank you for that vital aspect of our humanity that involves relating to the people in our families; help us in Christ to give ourselves fully to each other and to submit our families to your will and leadership.
Amen.
We praise you, O God, that in your wisdom you caused your Son to be born to, to grow up in, and to relate to a family.
We praise you that by so doing you not only made clear the flesh and blood, nitty gritty, day to day experience of Jesus, but also underscored the importance of ours.
Thank you for that vital aspect of our humanity that involves relating to the people in our families; help us in Christ to give ourselves fully to each other and to submit our families to your will and leadership.
Amen.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
A Prayer for Saturday, December 29, 2012
The Fifth Day of Christmas
O God,
How can we practice humility rather than pride?
How can we elevate the weak and lower the strong?
How can we lift up the lowly and bring down the arrogant?
How can we feed the hungry and empty the full?
How can we promote peace and heal division?
How can we plan to give ourselves away rather than plot to protect ourselves?
How can we practice presence and abandon absence?
How can we be part of the solution and not part of the problem?
How can we, O God, live the meaning of Christmas all the time?
Show us the way...
Amen.
O God,
How can we practice humility rather than pride?
How can we elevate the weak and lower the strong?
How can we lift up the lowly and bring down the arrogant?
How can we feed the hungry and empty the full?
How can we promote peace and heal division?
How can we plan to give ourselves away rather than plot to protect ourselves?
How can we practice presence and abandon absence?
How can we be part of the solution and not part of the problem?
How can we, O God, live the meaning of Christmas all the time?
Show us the way...
Amen.
Friday, December 28, 2012
A Prayer for Friday, December 28, 2012
Fourth Day of Christmas
O God,
On this day when we remember the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem that King Herod ordered in his effort to destroy the infant King who had been born there, we remember also all of those who have in the past been and who are in the present being persecuted for their connection with Jesus.
We remember also those children who have in the past been and who are in the present being victimized by violence, be it emotional, mental, spiritual, economic, or physical.
Inspire and empower those of us who are not the victims of persecution or violence to do what we can to help those who are.
Amen.
O God,
On this day when we remember the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem that King Herod ordered in his effort to destroy the infant King who had been born there, we remember also all of those who have in the past been and who are in the present being persecuted for their connection with Jesus.
We remember also those children who have in the past been and who are in the present being victimized by violence, be it emotional, mental, spiritual, economic, or physical.
Inspire and empower those of us who are not the victims of persecution or violence to do what we can to help those who are.
Amen.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
A Prayer for Thursday, December 27, 2012
Third Day of Christmas
We praise you, O God, that your Son, by being born as one of us, showed us the possibility of being authentically human, of living a life that is open, honest, generous, transparent, and daring.
Help us learn that one thing that growing into the image of Christ means is that we are growing into who you mean for us to be. Help us to grow in our knowledge of who we are and then to have the courage to be that person.
Amen.
We praise you, O God, that your Son, by being born as one of us, showed us the possibility of being authentically human, of living a life that is open, honest, generous, transparent, and daring.
Help us learn that one thing that growing into the image of Christ means is that we are growing into who you mean for us to be. Help us to grow in our knowledge of who we are and then to have the courage to be that person.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
A Prayer for Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Second Day of Christmas
Thank you, God, that on the second day of his life the infant Jesus nursed, slept, cried, burped, evacuated—and did everything else that a two day old baby does.
Thank you that he was like any other baby; thank you that he thereby brought honor, meaning, and hope to this flesh of ours.
Thank you that because he became like we are we have the potential to become like he is.
Amen.
Thank you, God, that on the second day of his life the infant Jesus nursed, slept, cried, burped, evacuated—and did everything else that a two day old baby does.
Thank you that he was like any other baby; thank you that he thereby brought honor, meaning, and hope to this flesh of ours.
Thank you that because he became like we are we have the potential to become like he is.
Amen.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
A Prayer for Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Day
Lord Jesus,
Be born in us today.
Let your life, your love, your grace, your mercy, your faith, and your peace so fill us that they must burst forth from us into the world.
Make us willing to endure any labor pains that we must in order to have your life be in us and come out of us.
Amen.
Lord Jesus,
Be born in us today.
Let your life, your love, your grace, your mercy, your faith, and your peace so fill us that they must burst forth from us into the world.
Make us willing to endure any labor pains that we must in order to have your life be in us and come out of us.
Amen.
Monday, December 24, 2012
A Prayer for Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that in one way our waiting is almost over; we have arrived at the Eve of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
We praise you that in another way our waiting, while never completely over, is also always fulfilled; we wait for Jesus to come to us in whatever unexpected ways he chooses to come even while we celebrate his ongoing presence with us.
We praise you that in yet another way our waiting, while so far unfulfilled, is nonetheless inspiring; we wait for Jesus to come in his coming that will usher in the new heaven and the new earth and while we wait, we do all we can to be ready for his coming by loving, serving, and giving like he did.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that in one way our waiting is almost over; we have arrived at the Eve of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
We praise you that in another way our waiting, while never completely over, is also always fulfilled; we wait for Jesus to come to us in whatever unexpected ways he chooses to come even while we celebrate his ongoing presence with us.
We praise you that in yet another way our waiting, while so far unfulfilled, is nonetheless inspiring; we wait for Jesus to come in his coming that will usher in the new heaven and the new earth and while we wait, we do all we can to be ready for his coming by loving, serving, and giving like he did.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
A Prayer for Sunday, December 23, 2012
Fourth Sunday of Advent
O God Who Comes,
Grant us your peace.
Grant us your peace that comes from knowing that you love us and that we love you;
grant us your peace that comes from knowing that you believe in us and that we believe in you;
grant us your peace that comes from knowing that you are always with us and that we are always with you.
But God, even as we rest in your peace, make our peace a restless peace.
Keep us restless in the knowledge that our peace cannot be complete as long as one other person does not know your peace;
keep us restless in the knowledge that our peace cannot be complete until your entire creation is at peace.
May we rest in your peace.
May we be restless in your peace.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
Grant us your peace.
Grant us your peace that comes from knowing that you love us and that we love you;
grant us your peace that comes from knowing that you believe in us and that we believe in you;
grant us your peace that comes from knowing that you are always with us and that we are always with you.
But God, even as we rest in your peace, make our peace a restless peace.
Keep us restless in the knowledge that our peace cannot be complete as long as one other person does not know your peace;
keep us restless in the knowledge that our peace cannot be complete until your entire creation is at peace.
May we rest in your peace.
May we be restless in your peace.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
A Prayer for Saturday, December 22, 2012
Twenty-first Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
As we look for Jesus to come, remind us of what you have told us:
“In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you” (John 14:19-20).
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
As we look for you in the manger and in the eastern sky, don’t let us forget to look in ourselves and to look in others.
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
As we look for Jesus to come, remind us of what you have told us:
“In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you” (John 14:19-20).
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
As we look for you in the manger and in the eastern sky, don’t let us forget to look in ourselves and to look in others.
Amen.
Friday, December 21, 2012
A Prayer for Friday, December 21, 2012
Twentieth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
Remind us today that joy springs from relationships, both our relationship with you and our relationship with each other.
Remind us also that relationships, while a gift, require work if they are to be maintained and if they are to develop and mature.
Help us today and all days to tend to our relationships with great care so that in them we can experience the joy that comes from gracious acceptance, radical forgiveness, and all other expressions of love.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
Remind us today that joy springs from relationships, both our relationship with you and our relationship with each other.
Remind us also that relationships, while a gift, require work if they are to be maintained and if they are to develop and mature.
Help us today and all days to tend to our relationships with great care so that in them we can experience the joy that comes from gracious acceptance, radical forgiveness, and all other expressions of love.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
A Prayer for Thursday, December 20, 2012
Nineteenth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
Even as we praise you and thank you for the gift of joy, we ask you to help us not to confuse joy with emotions that, while good in themselves, are less than joy. Help us not to confuse joy with happiness, which is dependent on our circumstances and is thus here today and gone tomorrow. Help us not to confuse joy with contentment, which while pleasant can lead to inaction.
Help us to realize that in fact the joy with which you bless us is not an emotion at all; it is not something that we feel now and not then but rather is a state of being in which we live all the time because we live in relationship with you all the time.
Bless us with the joy that comes from knowing that we are safe in your arms, that you will never forsake us, that we are sharing in your purposes, and that, no matter what we are going through, you and we go through it together.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
Even as we praise you and thank you for the gift of joy, we ask you to help us not to confuse joy with emotions that, while good in themselves, are less than joy. Help us not to confuse joy with happiness, which is dependent on our circumstances and is thus here today and gone tomorrow. Help us not to confuse joy with contentment, which while pleasant can lead to inaction.
Help us to realize that in fact the joy with which you bless us is not an emotion at all; it is not something that we feel now and not then but rather is a state of being in which we live all the time because we live in relationship with you all the time.
Bless us with the joy that comes from knowing that we are safe in your arms, that you will never forsake us, that we are sharing in your purposes, and that, no matter what we are going through, you and we go through it together.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
A Prayer for Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Eighteenth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
Forgive us when we choose to live in ways that distance us from the joy that is ours because of our relationship with you; forgive us when we try to escape from life in its fullness and especially when we try to avoid the sacrifices and sorrows that come when we faithfully follow Jesus by giving ourselves up for the sake of other people.
Help us to remember—and to live in light of that remembering—that real joy comes from finding and living out the ways that you would have us to love you with all that we are and to love our neighbors like we love ourselves, which can be—which will be—very costly.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
Forgive us when we choose to live in ways that distance us from the joy that is ours because of our relationship with you; forgive us when we try to escape from life in its fullness and especially when we try to avoid the sacrifices and sorrows that come when we faithfully follow Jesus by giving ourselves up for the sake of other people.
Help us to remember—and to live in light of that remembering—that real joy comes from finding and living out the ways that you would have us to love you with all that we are and to love our neighbors like we love ourselves, which can be—which will be—very costly.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
A Prayer for Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Seventeenth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
Remind us today that joy comes not from the avoidance of suffering but rather from knowing that you are always with us in our suffering.
Remind us today that joy comes from knowing that our suffering can be joined with the suffering of Christ so that we find meaning and purpose in our suffering.
Remind us today that joy comes from knowing that in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ our suffering has been conquered and that everything will be as it should be—someday.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
Remind us today that joy comes not from the avoidance of suffering but rather from knowing that you are always with us in our suffering.
Remind us today that joy comes from knowing that our suffering can be joined with the suffering of Christ so that we find meaning and purpose in our suffering.
Remind us today that joy comes from knowing that in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ our suffering has been conquered and that everything will be as it should be—someday.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Monday, December 17, 2012
A Prayer for Monday, December 17, 2012
Sixteenth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you for the joy you have placed deep within us where it always resides no matter what is going on in our lives.
As we go through this day, keep us constantly aware of and in touch with that joy so that the consistency of our relationship with you and not the inconsistency of our lives determines our attitude and our perspective.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you for the joy you have placed deep within us where it always resides no matter what is going on in our lives.
As we go through this day, keep us constantly aware of and in touch with that joy so that the consistency of our relationship with you and not the inconsistency of our lives determines our attitude and our perspective.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
A Prayer for Sunday, December 16, 2012
Third Sunday of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you today for sending your Son Jesus to us as the Joy of the world.
Fill us with the joy that comes from knowing that you love us, that you are for us, and that you hurt with us.
Multiply our joy by leading us to share it with others through the ways that we love, treat, and help them.
You are our joy; empower us to be joy to other people.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you today for sending your Son Jesus to us as the Joy of the world.
Fill us with the joy that comes from knowing that you love us, that you are for us, and that you hurt with us.
Multiply our joy by leading us to share it with others through the ways that we love, treat, and help them.
You are our joy; empower us to be joy to other people.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
A Prayer for Saturday, December 15, 2012
Fourteenth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is suffering.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that love means suffering alongside, suffering with, and suffering for others.
Give us courage to love others so deeply that we will be ready and willing to sit with them in their suffering, to take their suffering onto ourselves, and to do all we can to reduce and to remove the conditions that lead to their suffering.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is suffering.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that love means suffering alongside, suffering with, and suffering for others.
Give us courage to love others so deeply that we will be ready and willing to sit with them in their suffering, to take their suffering onto ourselves, and to do all we can to reduce and to remove the conditions that lead to their suffering.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Friday, December 14, 2012
A Prayer for Friday, December 14, 2012
Thirteenth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is sacrifice.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that love means giving up self for the sake of other people, that it means laying down your life for others not because they deserve it but just because, and that it is in losing your life that you find it.
Grant that our love will be lived out in sacrificial ways that befit followers of the One who loved us and gave his life for us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is sacrifice.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that love means giving up self for the sake of other people, that it means laying down your life for others not because they deserve it but just because, and that it is in losing your life that you find it.
Grant that our love will be lived out in sacrificial ways that befit followers of the One who loved us and gave his life for us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
A Prayer for Thursday, December 13, 2012
Twelfth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is devotion.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that love means remained devoted and dedicated to your friends through thick and thin and through success and failure, until the very end.
Grant that our love for our friends will be marked by an open-eyed and open-hearted devotion to them, by a dedication that loves them as they are and that never leaves nor forsakes them.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is devotion.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that love means remained devoted and dedicated to your friends through thick and thin and through success and failure, until the very end.
Grant that our love for our friends will be marked by an open-eyed and open-hearted devotion to them, by a dedication that loves them as they are and that never leaves nor forsakes them.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
A Prayer for Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Eleventh Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is obedience.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that because your Son loved you he wanted nothing other than to know and to do your will no matter what the personal cost.
Grant that our love for you will be characterized by an ever increasing desire to know and to do your will and to be obedient to you in all things, regardless of where such obedience leads us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is obedience.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that because your Son loved you he wanted nothing other than to know and to do your will no matter what the personal cost.
Grant that our love for you will be characterized by an ever increasing desire to know and to do your will and to be obedient to you in all things, regardless of where such obedience leads us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
A Prayer for Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Tenth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is presence.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that because you love us you will go to extremes to be with us, to reveal yourself to us, and to relate to us.
Grant that our love for you and for others will be marked by a desire to be fully present with you and with them and to do whatever we have to do to make such presence possible.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is presence.
We praise you for showing us through the coming of Jesus to the world that because you love us you will go to extremes to be with us, to reveal yourself to us, and to relate to us.
Grant that our love for you and for others will be marked by a desire to be fully present with you and with them and to do whatever we have to do to make such presence possible.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Monday, December 10, 2012
A Prayer for Monday, December 10, 2012
Ninth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is commitment.
We praise you for showing us that love keeps its promises and is always faithful.
Grant that our love for you and for others will be marked by its commitment and faithfulness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that because you are love, you show us in all you do, but especially in what you have done and continue to do in Jesus Christ, what love is.
We praise you for showing us that love is commitment.
We praise you for showing us that love keeps its promises and is always faithful.
Grant that our love for you and for others will be marked by its commitment and faithfulness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
A Prayer for Sunday, December 9, 2012
Second Sunday of Advent
O God Who Comes,
Were it not for your great love, we would not have---
--the privilege of knowing you;
--the experience of your presence;
--the forgiveness of our sins;
--the gift of eternal life; or
--the blessing of your grace.
We praise you that your great love leads you to give and give and give.
Inspire us by your love to love you in return by giving ourselves up; cause us always to remember that loving you and loving others go hand in hand.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
Were it not for your great love, we would not have---
--the privilege of knowing you;
--the experience of your presence;
--the forgiveness of our sins;
--the gift of eternal life; or
--the blessing of your grace.
We praise you that your great love leads you to give and give and give.
Inspire us by your love to love you in return by giving ourselves up; cause us always to remember that loving you and loving others go hand in hand.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
A Prayer for Saturday, December 8, 2012
Seventh Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
So many people have lost hope; too many people never had much hope to begin with.
We praise you that wherever people are aware of your presence, hope is there.
Grant that we who know you are here and who thus carry your hope with us will live in ways that will cause others to catch a glimpse of you and thus a glimpse of hope, too.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
So many people have lost hope; too many people never had much hope to begin with.
We praise you that wherever people are aware of your presence, hope is there.
Grant that we who know you are here and who thus carry your hope with us will live in ways that will cause others to catch a glimpse of you and thus a glimpse of hope, too.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Friday, December 7, 2012
A Prayer for Friday, December 7, 2012
Sixth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you for your grace and love that cause you to come to us; we praise you that your Son came to us and that your Spirit comes to us.
Help us to live in constant awareness of your presence so that will always rely on you and so that we will consistently cultivate our relationship with you.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you for your grace and love that cause you to come to us; we praise you that your Son came to us and that your Spirit comes to us.
Help us to live in constant awareness of your presence so that will always rely on you and so that we will consistently cultivate our relationship with you.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
A Prayer for Thursday, December 6, 2012
Fifth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We hope, with great confidence, that you are working your purposes out in your own way and in your own time.
While we await your great fulfillment of your purposes, open our eyes to the small fulfillments that occur daily in our lives and in the lives of others.
While we await the great coming of Jesus, make us aware of his coming to us in the normal course of our normal lives as well as in the unusual and extraordinary events of our lives.
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We hope, with great confidence, that you are working your purposes out in your own way and in your own time.
While we await your great fulfillment of your purposes, open our eyes to the small fulfillments that occur daily in our lives and in the lives of others.
While we await the great coming of Jesus, make us aware of his coming to us in the normal course of our normal lives as well as in the unusual and extraordinary events of our lives.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
A Prayer for Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Fourth Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
Remind us how, in the coming of Jesus to Bethlehem’s manger, the extraordinary happened in and through the ordinary and the divine was experienced in and through the human.
Remind us that, in the living of our lives on this day and on all days, the extraordinary happens in and through the ordinary and the divine is experienced in and through the human.
We praise you that as surely as you came in Jesus of Nazareth so you come to us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
Remind us how, in the coming of Jesus to Bethlehem’s manger, the extraordinary happened in and through the ordinary and the divine was experienced in and through the human.
Remind us that, in the living of our lives on this day and on all days, the extraordinary happens in and through the ordinary and the divine is experienced in and through the human.
We praise you that as surely as you came in Jesus of Nazareth so you come to us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
A Prayer for Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Third Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We know that things are not what they should be; we trust that things will one day be what you intend for them to be.
Meanwhile, while we wait, cause our waiting to be an active waiting; cause us to do what we can to make things better even as we know we can’t make them right.
We live in hope that you will do that and that, when you do, we will know that our labor has not been in vain.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We know that things are not what they should be; we trust that things will one day be what you intend for them to be.
Meanwhile, while we wait, cause our waiting to be an active waiting; cause us to do what we can to make things better even as we know we can’t make them right.
We live in hope that you will do that and that, when you do, we will know that our labor has not been in vain.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Monday, December 3, 2012
A Prayer for Monday, December 3, 2012
Second Day of Advent
O God Who Comes,
When hopelessness seems possible and despair appears on the horizon, fill us with an awareness of your presence that, while it was made most visible in the coming of Jesus of Nazareth, is just as real in the coming of your Holy Spirit right here and right now.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
When hopelessness seems possible and despair appears on the horizon, fill us with an awareness of your presence that, while it was made most visible in the coming of Jesus of Nazareth, is just as real in the coming of your Holy Spirit right here and right now.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
A Prayer for Sunday, December 2, 2012
First Sunday of Advent
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that in the birth of Jesus Christ you fulfilled the hopes of your people for the Messiah, for the one who would bring in the kingdom of heaven and who would give us the assurance that you are in your grace working your purposes out.
We praise you for the gift of hope because it is hope that keeps us alive, that keeps us moving forward, and that keeps us doing what we can to make things better.
Cause our hope—the assurance that you keep your promises—to fill us with anticipation of what you are going to do and to inspire us to serve well, knowing that as we love you and love others we are participating in what you are doing.
Amen.
O God Who Comes,
We praise you that in the birth of Jesus Christ you fulfilled the hopes of your people for the Messiah, for the one who would bring in the kingdom of heaven and who would give us the assurance that you are in your grace working your purposes out.
We praise you for the gift of hope because it is hope that keeps us alive, that keeps us moving forward, and that keeps us doing what we can to make things better.
Cause our hope—the assurance that you keep your promises—to fill us with anticipation of what you are going to do and to inspire us to serve well, knowing that as we love you and love others we are participating in what you are doing.
Amen.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
A Prayer for Saturday, December 1, 2012
Peace
O God,
Grant us your peace.
As we grow in your peace, lead us to go in that peace fully and boldly to confront the pain, the turmoil, and the chaos that is all around us.
Inspire us to want others to know your peace and to do what we can to help them find it.
Amen.
O God,
Grant us your peace.
As we grow in your peace, lead us to go in that peace fully and boldly to confront the pain, the turmoil, and the chaos that is all around us.
Inspire us to want others to know your peace and to do what we can to help them find it.
Amen.
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