Seventh Day of Christmas
O God,
Thank you that you are always with us
to comfort us when we need comforting,
to instruct us when we need instructing,
to guide us when we need guidance,
to challenge us when we need challenging,
to push us when we need pushing,
to restrain us when we need restraining,
to strengthen us when we need strengthening,
to embolden us when we need emboldening, and
to humble us when we need humbling.
Thank you that you are always with us
in the ways that we need you to be with us.
Help us always to be alert to and
to respond positively to the ways
that you work in our lives.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
A Prayer for Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Sixth Day of Christmas
O God,
We praise you for the ways in which the baby Jesus grew into an adult who wanted to do everything that was your will and nothing that was not your will.
Show us what it means for Christ to be born in us and for us to grow and mature in light of his presence in us.
Because he is in us we can also grow into people who want nothing other than to do your will.
Let it be so, O God, regardless, and even because, of what it might cost us—of what it will cost us.
After all, as Jesus both told us and showed us, it is those who lose their life for your sake who will ultimately find it.
Help us to grow in love and grace—to grow in Christ—so that we will gladly give, help, serve, and sacrifice for your sake and for the sake of others …
Amen.
O God,
We praise you for the ways in which the baby Jesus grew into an adult who wanted to do everything that was your will and nothing that was not your will.
Show us what it means for Christ to be born in us and for us to grow and mature in light of his presence in us.
Because he is in us we can also grow into people who want nothing other than to do your will.
Let it be so, O God, regardless, and even because, of what it might cost us—of what it will cost us.
After all, as Jesus both told us and showed us, it is those who lose their life for your sake who will ultimately find it.
Help us to grow in love and grace—to grow in Christ—so that we will gladly give, help, serve, and sacrifice for your sake and for the sake of others …
Amen.
Monday, December 29, 2014
A Prayer for Monday, December 29, 2014
Fifth Day of Christmas
O God,
We praise you for sending your Son Jesus Christ into this world of ours; we praise you for having him come to us as one of us.
Thank you that in so coming Jesus affirmed and blessed the value of the everyday, of the mundane, and of the human. Thank you that in coming to a family, to a community, and to a nation he blessed the experiences that are common to all of us. Thank you that in coming as a particular person in a particular place in a particular time he blessed the individuality that characterizes each one of us.
Help us through Christ to appreciate and to live fully our lives in our body, in our family, in our community, in our nation, and in our world. Help us to appreciate both what we share in common with all other people and what makes us uniquely ourselves.
Let our approach to life reflect that appreciation.
Amen.
O God,
We praise you for sending your Son Jesus Christ into this world of ours; we praise you for having him come to us as one of us.
Thank you that in so coming Jesus affirmed and blessed the value of the everyday, of the mundane, and of the human. Thank you that in coming to a family, to a community, and to a nation he blessed the experiences that are common to all of us. Thank you that in coming as a particular person in a particular place in a particular time he blessed the individuality that characterizes each one of us.
Help us through Christ to appreciate and to live fully our lives in our body, in our family, in our community, in our nation, and in our world. Help us to appreciate both what we share in common with all other people and what makes us uniquely ourselves.
Let our approach to life reflect that appreciation.
Amen.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
A Prayer for Sunday, December 28, 2014
First Sunday after Christmas Day
O God,
We praise you for the fact that the grace and love of Christmas Day linger on not only through the Twelve Days of Christmas but also into every day of our lives.
Help us to remember that Christ lives on not only at your right hand but also in our hearts and hands.
Help us to remember that Christ’s life on Earth continues in and through his followers who make up his Church.
Help your Church to live as who we are—the Body of Christ in the world that is the ongoing agent of your Incarnation.
Let the love and grace of Christmas—and of Good Friday and Easter—be evident in the ways that we live, give, forgive, and serve.
Amen.
O God,
We praise you for the fact that the grace and love of Christmas Day linger on not only through the Twelve Days of Christmas but also into every day of our lives.
Help us to remember that Christ lives on not only at your right hand but also in our hearts and hands.
Help us to remember that Christ’s life on Earth continues in and through his followers who make up his Church.
Help your Church to live as who we are—the Body of Christ in the world that is the ongoing agent of your Incarnation.
Let the love and grace of Christmas—and of Good Friday and Easter—be evident in the ways that we live, give, forgive, and serve.
Amen.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
A Prayer for Saturday, December 27, 2014
Third Day of Christmas
O God,
We praise you that your fullness was pleased to dwell in your Son Jesus Christ as he lived on this Earth.
We praise you that we can be filled more and more with you as we grow in our awareness of the presence in us of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Forgive us for our failure to cultivate such awareness; help us to develop lives of constant prayer so that we will become constantly aware that you are constantly with us so that we can constantly live in light of your constant presence.
Amen.
O God,
We praise you that your fullness was pleased to dwell in your Son Jesus Christ as he lived on this Earth.
We praise you that we can be filled more and more with you as we grow in our awareness of the presence in us of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Forgive us for our failure to cultivate such awareness; help us to develop lives of constant prayer so that we will become constantly aware that you are constantly with us so that we can constantly live in light of your constant presence.
Amen.
Friday, December 26, 2014
A Prayer for Friday, December 26, 2014
Second Day of Christmas
O God,
We praise you because Christ is born!
But now what?
Show us what it means for Christ to have come into the world.
Show us what it means for Christ to have come into our life.
Show us what it means for Christ to be alive and present and active in us.
Show us what it means for the Christ of Christmas to permeate our every day.
Amen.
O God,
We praise you because Christ is born!
But now what?
Show us what it means for Christ to have come into the world.
Show us what it means for Christ to have come into our life.
Show us what it means for Christ to be alive and present and active in us.
Show us what it means for the Christ of Christmas to permeate our every day.
Amen.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
A Prayer for Thursday, December 25, 2014
Christmas Day
O God,
For the birth of our Savior,
for the birth of ourselves,
for the birth of our loved ones,
for the birth of our friends,
for the birth of our fellow human beings;
for the birth of each new day,
for the birth of each new chance,
for the birth of each new opportunity,
for the birth of each new insight,
for the birth of each new relationship—
we praise you!
Amen.
O God,
For the birth of our Savior,
for the birth of ourselves,
for the birth of our loved ones,
for the birth of our friends,
for the birth of our fellow human beings;
for the birth of each new day,
for the birth of each new chance,
for the birth of each new opportunity,
for the birth of each new insight,
for the birth of each new relationship—
we praise you!
Amen.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
A Prayer for Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Christmas Eve
O God,
The day before a big event is an exciting and tension-filled day, especially if the event is one for which we have been waiting for a long time. Perhaps this is the annual day for which that is most true; after all, we have been waiting now through four weeks of Advent for the coming of the Christ child to Bethlehem’s manger.
Please don’t let us miss him.
Please don’t let us get so caught up in the festivities—wonderful though they are—that we fail to experience the birth of Christ and its truth that because of him, you are with us.
Please let us experience his birth in our hearts so that we can be reminded of your presence.
Help us to remember that it is not up to us to say how his birth or your presence will be revealed by you and will be experienced by us. Keep us open to however and through whomever you decide to reveal Christ to us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
The day before a big event is an exciting and tension-filled day, especially if the event is one for which we have been waiting for a long time. Perhaps this is the annual day for which that is most true; after all, we have been waiting now through four weeks of Advent for the coming of the Christ child to Bethlehem’s manger.
Please don’t let us miss him.
Please don’t let us get so caught up in the festivities—wonderful though they are—that we fail to experience the birth of Christ and its truth that because of him, you are with us.
Please let us experience his birth in our hearts so that we can be reminded of your presence.
Help us to remember that it is not up to us to say how his birth or your presence will be revealed by you and will be experienced by us. Keep us open to however and through whomever you decide to reveal Christ to us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
A Prayer for Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Twenty-Fourth Day of Advent
O God,
Please maintain in us an ongoing sense
of the mystery and wonder of it all.
There is, after all, so much to marvel over;
there is so much about who you are and
what you have done, are doing, and will do that,
even as we celebrate it, we cannot understand.
Help us to realize that if we think
we understand it we have severely reduced it.
Help us to pursue acceptance of it all
even more than we pursue understanding of it all.
We cannot understand why you love us—
but we accept and celebrate that you do.
We cannot understand why you entered the world in a baby—
but we accept and celebrate that you do.
We cannot understand why that baby grew up to die on the cross—
but we accept and celebrate that he did.
We cannot understand how the man who died on the cross rose from the grave—
but we accept and celebrate that he did.
We cannot understand how it will be when the resurrected Lord comes again—
but we accept and celebrate that he will.
We cannot understand why and how you continue
to come to us and to be with us through your Spirit right here and right now—
but we accept and celebrate that you do.
We will continue to try to understand—curiosity
that leads to such pursuit is another of your
great gifts to us for which we thank you.
We confess, though, that there will always be
mystery surrounding you and your gracious actions,
a mystery for which we are grateful because
it leads us to stand in awe of you.
We are amazed that you come to us.
We celebrate that you come to us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
Please maintain in us an ongoing sense
of the mystery and wonder of it all.
There is, after all, so much to marvel over;
there is so much about who you are and
what you have done, are doing, and will do that,
even as we celebrate it, we cannot understand.
Help us to realize that if we think
we understand it we have severely reduced it.
Help us to pursue acceptance of it all
even more than we pursue understanding of it all.
We cannot understand why you love us—
but we accept and celebrate that you do.
We cannot understand why you entered the world in a baby—
but we accept and celebrate that you do.
We cannot understand why that baby grew up to die on the cross—
but we accept and celebrate that he did.
We cannot understand how the man who died on the cross rose from the grave—
but we accept and celebrate that he did.
We cannot understand how it will be when the resurrected Lord comes again—
but we accept and celebrate that he will.
We cannot understand why and how you continue
to come to us and to be with us through your Spirit right here and right now—
but we accept and celebrate that you do.
We will continue to try to understand—curiosity
that leads to such pursuit is another of your
great gifts to us for which we thank you.
We confess, though, that there will always be
mystery surrounding you and your gracious actions,
a mystery for which we are grateful because
it leads us to stand in awe of you.
We are amazed that you come to us.
We celebrate that you come to us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Monday, December 22, 2014
A Prayer for Monday, December 22, 2014
Twenty-Third Day of Advent
O God,
When we hurt, come to us in our pain.
When we celebrate, come to us in our joy.
When we sin, come to us in our sorrow.
When we suffer, come to us in our agony.
When we stop, come to us in our rest.
When we serve, come to us in our giving.
When we reflect, come to us in our pondering.
When we marvel, come to us in our wondering.
When we live, come to us in our life.
When we die, come to us in our death.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
When we hurt, come to us in our pain.
When we celebrate, come to us in our joy.
When we sin, come to us in our sorrow.
When we suffer, come to us in our agony.
When we stop, come to us in our rest.
When we serve, come to us in our giving.
When we reflect, come to us in our pondering.
When we marvel, come to us in our wondering.
When we live, come to us in our life.
When we die, come to us in our death.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
A Prayer for Sunday, December 21, 2014
Fourth Sunday of Advent
O God,
We praise you because
you keep your promises.
We praise you because
you kept your promise
to send your Messiah and
our Savior into this world.
We praise you because
you keep your promise
that in Christ and through your Spirit
you are always with us.
We praise you because
you will keep your promise
to one day make all things
new through Christ.
Let our worship today
reflect our gratitude
for your promise keeping.
Let our pending celebration
of the birth of Jesus
strengthen our trust
that you keep your promises.
Let our lives be ones in which
we bear witness to you
by keeping our promises, too.
Amen.
O God,
We praise you because
you keep your promises.
We praise you because
you kept your promise
to send your Messiah and
our Savior into this world.
We praise you because
you keep your promise
that in Christ and through your Spirit
you are always with us.
We praise you because
you will keep your promise
to one day make all things
new through Christ.
Let our worship today
reflect our gratitude
for your promise keeping.
Let our pending celebration
of the birth of Jesus
strengthen our trust
that you keep your promises.
Let our lives be ones in which
we bear witness to you
by keeping our promises, too.
Amen.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
A Prayer for Saturday, December 20, 2014
Twenty-First Day of Advent
O God,
Thank you that Jesus came into the world to be the way, the truth, and the life. Thank you for showing such grace to us in giving us a beacon to guide us through the darkness that we so often encounter in this life.
As we each try to find our way, as we each seek the truth, and as we each try to live our life, let all of our trying and seeking be at their heart an openness to Jesus. By your grace let him be our beacon even when we forget to look for it.
Keep us mindful that a way must be followed, that truth must be sought, and that life must be lived.
Thank you that Jesus is with us in the journey and is also the goal of the journey.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Friday, December 19, 2014
A Prayer for Friday, December 19, 2014
Twentieth Day of Advent
O God,
Thank you for the spirit of anticipation that the Season of Advent brings to us.
We anticipate the coming of Jesus to Bethlehem’s manger.
We anticipate the coming of Jesus in his glory.
We anticipate the coming of Jesus to us here and now.
Cause our anticipation to be as right-spirited and as right-minded as it can be.
Let us anticipate Jesus’ coming more for your sake and for others’ sake than for our sake.
Let us anticipate Jesus’ coming as an opportunity for service rather than as a hope for escape.
Let us anticipate Jesus’ coming with eyes open to whatever you are going to do rather than with minds closed by our preconceived notions.
Let us anticipate Jesus’ coming through our effort to make things better while we wait for him to make things right.
Form our anticipation into a waiting that trusts, that serves, and that loves.
Amen.
O God,
Thank you for the spirit of anticipation that the Season of Advent brings to us.
We anticipate the coming of Jesus to Bethlehem’s manger.
We anticipate the coming of Jesus in his glory.
We anticipate the coming of Jesus to us here and now.
Cause our anticipation to be as right-spirited and as right-minded as it can be.
Let us anticipate Jesus’ coming more for your sake and for others’ sake than for our sake.
Let us anticipate Jesus’ coming as an opportunity for service rather than as a hope for escape.
Let us anticipate Jesus’ coming with eyes open to whatever you are going to do rather than with minds closed by our preconceived notions.
Let us anticipate Jesus’ coming through our effort to make things better while we wait for him to make things right.
Form our anticipation into a waiting that trusts, that serves, and that loves.
Amen.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
A Prayer for Thursday, December 18, 2014
Nineteenth Day of Advent
O God,
Thank you for coming to us where and as we are.
Help us to be aware of and open to your presence; help us to cultivate a life of prayer so that we will always be aware that you are with us and will always be ready to welcome you when you come to us in new and unexpected ways.
Remove from us any fear, any guilt, any anxiety, or any other factors that make it difficult for us to believe that you come to us and to know that you are with us.
Let our increasing assurance of your presence lead us both to rest better in you and to live more boldly for you.
Amen.
O God,
Thank you for coming to us where and as we are.
Help us to be aware of and open to your presence; help us to cultivate a life of prayer so that we will always be aware that you are with us and will always be ready to welcome you when you come to us in new and unexpected ways.
Remove from us any fear, any guilt, any anxiety, or any other factors that make it difficult for us to believe that you come to us and to know that you are with us.
Let our increasing assurance of your presence lead us both to rest better in you and to live more boldly for you.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
A Prayer for Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Eighteenth Day of Advent
O God,
Thank you that your Son came to Earth as the Prince of Peace.
Let his presence in us turn us more and more into channels for and instruments of your peace.
The world is so full of violence that grows out of anger, fear, hatred, and vengeance; so many people are caught up in a cycle in which violence is responded to with violence. Help those of us who worship you, who follow your Son, and who are empowered by your Spirit to develop a spirit that leads us to a different and better way; help us to live lives that show the world what it means to respond to wrongs with forgiveness and to respond to evil with love.
Thank you that Jesus came to disrupt the cycle of vengeance and violence; help us to walk in his way and to continue his work for his sake, for our sake, and for the world’s sake …
Amen.
O God,
Thank you that your Son came to Earth as the Prince of Peace.
Let his presence in us turn us more and more into channels for and instruments of your peace.
The world is so full of violence that grows out of anger, fear, hatred, and vengeance; so many people are caught up in a cycle in which violence is responded to with violence. Help those of us who worship you, who follow your Son, and who are empowered by your Spirit to develop a spirit that leads us to a different and better way; help us to live lives that show the world what it means to respond to wrongs with forgiveness and to respond to evil with love.
Thank you that Jesus came to disrupt the cycle of vengeance and violence; help us to walk in his way and to continue his work for his sake, for our sake, and for the world’s sake …
Amen.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
A Prayer for Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Seventeenth Day of Advent
O God,
Some of our friends and family members—maybe some of us—feel all alone.
Some of our friends and family members—maybe some of us—feel like no one understands.
Some of our friends and family members—maybe some of us—feel unknown and unloved.
Please open their hearts—please open our hearts—to your presence.
Please help them—please help us—to be present with each other.
Help us to know that as long as you are there—and you always will be there—we are never alone.
Give us friends—and help us to be friends—whose commitment is based on your grace and love.
Cause our friends and family members—cause us—to know that we are never alone, that we are always understood, and that we are always known and loved. And help us to relate to one another in ways that will help us all to know and never to forget …
Amen.
O God,
Some of our friends and family members—maybe some of us—feel all alone.
Some of our friends and family members—maybe some of us—feel like no one understands.
Some of our friends and family members—maybe some of us—feel unknown and unloved.
Please open their hearts—please open our hearts—to your presence.
Please help them—please help us—to be present with each other.
Help us to know that as long as you are there—and you always will be there—we are never alone.
Give us friends—and help us to be friends—whose commitment is based on your grace and love.
Cause our friends and family members—cause us—to know that we are never alone, that we are always understood, and that we are always known and loved. And help us to relate to one another in ways that will help us all to know and never to forget …
Amen.
Monday, December 15, 2014
A Prayer for Monday, December 15, 2014
Sixteenth Day of Advent
O God,
Thank you for coming to us!
Thank you for being with us!
May your coming to us and your presence with us have all of the influence on us that they can possibly have.
Where we need encouragement, encourage us.
Where we need challenge, challenge us.
Where we need comfort, comfort us.
Where we need conviction, convict us.
Where we need instruction, instruct us.
Where we need boldness, embolden us.
Where we need enlivening, enliven us.
Thank you for coming to us!
Thank you for being with us!
May your coming to us and your presence with us have all of the influence on us that they can possibly have.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
Thank you for coming to us!
Thank you for being with us!
May your coming to us and your presence with us have all of the influence on us that they can possibly have.
Where we need encouragement, encourage us.
Where we need challenge, challenge us.
Where we need comfort, comfort us.
Where we need conviction, convict us.
Where we need instruction, instruct us.
Where we need boldness, embolden us.
Where we need enlivening, enliven us.
Thank you for coming to us!
Thank you for being with us!
May your coming to us and your presence with us have all of the influence on us that they can possibly have.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
A Prayer for Sunday, December 14, 2014
Third Sunday of Advent
O God,
Even as we during this season of Advent anticipate your coming to us in Jesus Christ your Son, we remember and celebrate the fact that you are already with us in your Holy Spirit.
Please make us more willing to be more open to the Spirit’s influence in our lives.
Show us through your Spirit what your agenda is and what your priorities are in the world at this time. Show us how you would have us to pursue your agenda and your priorities in the ways that we think, talk, and act.
Give us the imagination, the perspective, and the courage to know and to pursue your agenda and priorities in the world; such insight and action are difficult for us because they require thinking and acting in ways that are opposite of the ways most people think and act.
The proud will be brought down.
The humble will be raised up.
The rich will be emptied.
The poor will be filled.
Help us to live in poverty and humility of spirit so that we can see more clearly how to help those who are laid low and kept down. Help us to do all that we can to prepare for the great reversal that will come with Jesus when he returns.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
Even as we during this season of Advent anticipate your coming to us in Jesus Christ your Son, we remember and celebrate the fact that you are already with us in your Holy Spirit.
Please make us more willing to be more open to the Spirit’s influence in our lives.
Show us through your Spirit what your agenda is and what your priorities are in the world at this time. Show us how you would have us to pursue your agenda and your priorities in the ways that we think, talk, and act.
Give us the imagination, the perspective, and the courage to know and to pursue your agenda and priorities in the world; such insight and action are difficult for us because they require thinking and acting in ways that are opposite of the ways most people think and act.
The proud will be brought down.
The humble will be raised up.
The rich will be emptied.
The poor will be filled.
Help us to live in poverty and humility of spirit so that we can see more clearly how to help those who are laid low and kept down. Help us to do all that we can to prepare for the great reversal that will come with Jesus when he returns.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
A Prayer for Saturday, December 13, 2014
Fourteenth Day of Advent
O God,
Our worship and our prayers at this time of year focus on your coming; we look forward to the celebration of your coming in the birth of Jesus, we look forward to your coming in his return in glory, and we try to be more attentive than usual to new, different, and even unexpected ways in which you want to come to us here and now.
As a part of our looking for you to come to us here and now we remind ourselves that you sometimes come to us in other people. You come to us in those who can offer your love to us—who give us a cup of cold water in your name—when we need it and you come to us in those to whom we can offer your love—those who, when we minister to them, we minister to you—when they need it.
Remind us that others are praying the same kinds of prayers we are praying and that they are looking for you to come to them here and now just as we are.
Remind us that while they might be the answer to our prayer—that you might come to us through them—that we might be the answer to their prayer—that you might come to them through us.
So while we are watching for how you will come, help us also to watch for how we should go ...
Amen.
O God,
Our worship and our prayers at this time of year focus on your coming; we look forward to the celebration of your coming in the birth of Jesus, we look forward to your coming in his return in glory, and we try to be more attentive than usual to new, different, and even unexpected ways in which you want to come to us here and now.
As a part of our looking for you to come to us here and now we remind ourselves that you sometimes come to us in other people. You come to us in those who can offer your love to us—who give us a cup of cold water in your name—when we need it and you come to us in those to whom we can offer your love—those who, when we minister to them, we minister to you—when they need it.
Remind us that others are praying the same kinds of prayers we are praying and that they are looking for you to come to them here and now just as we are.
Remind us that while they might be the answer to our prayer—that you might come to us through them—that we might be the answer to their prayer—that you might come to them through us.
So while we are watching for how you will come, help us also to watch for how we should go ...
Amen.
Friday, December 12, 2014
A Prayer for Friday, December 12, 2014
Thirteenth Day of Advent
O God,
As we watch for your coming, don’t let us forget that you are already here.
Thank you for your companionship; thank you that you are always with us.
Deepen our relationship with you; help us to learn more about you every day.
Form us and shape us in your image; show us how to be the best that we can be.
Turn our hearts toward you; help us to care about what you care about.
Influence our actions with your love; let us carry on your gracious work in the world.
Amen.
O God,
As we watch for your coming, don’t let us forget that you are already here.
Thank you for your companionship; thank you that you are always with us.
Deepen our relationship with you; help us to learn more about you every day.
Form us and shape us in your image; show us how to be the best that we can be.
Turn our hearts toward you; help us to care about what you care about.
Influence our actions with your love; let us carry on your gracious work in the world.
Amen.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
A Prayer for Thursday, December 11, 2014
Twelfth Day of Advent
O God,
We are watching for your coming to us in the celebration of the birth of your Son, in his second coming, and in his coming to us right here and right now.
How will we react when you come?
Will we react with laughter born of relief and joy?
Will we react with tears born of sorrow and repentance?
Will we react with ambivalence born of apathy and insensitivity?
Will we react with awe born of humility and wonder?
How will we react when you come? Perhaps it depends on how we prepare for your coming.
So help us to prepare for your coming by growing in our willingness and ability to keep our lives open to your coming to us in whatever ways you choose to come to us. Help us to prepare by engaging in disciplines and practices—worship, prayer, study, and service, among others— that will help us to keep our hearts and minds constantly aware of you and constantly ready for you. Help us to prepare for your “big” comings by faithfully responding to you in your “little” comings and especially in the ways you come to us in other people who need our help and who can help us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
We are watching for your coming to us in the celebration of the birth of your Son, in his second coming, and in his coming to us right here and right now.
How will we react when you come?
Will we react with laughter born of relief and joy?
Will we react with tears born of sorrow and repentance?
Will we react with ambivalence born of apathy and insensitivity?
Will we react with awe born of humility and wonder?
How will we react when you come? Perhaps it depends on how we prepare for your coming.
So help us to prepare for your coming by growing in our willingness and ability to keep our lives open to your coming to us in whatever ways you choose to come to us. Help us to prepare by engaging in disciplines and practices—worship, prayer, study, and service, among others— that will help us to keep our hearts and minds constantly aware of you and constantly ready for you. Help us to prepare for your “big” comings by faithfully responding to you in your “little” comings and especially in the ways you come to us in other people who need our help and who can help us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
A Prayer for Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Eleventh Day of Advent
O God,
Thank you that Jesus came to us in humility.
Thank you that Jesus will come to us in glory.
Thank you that Jesus comes to us in love.
Let our lives reflect the fact of his presence with us; let us become more and more permeated with his love that shows itself in service and in sacrifice.
As we celebrate the past and anticipate the future, help us to live fully in the present; help us, as we look back to the birth of Jesus and as we look forward to his return, to live in light of his presence with us here and now.
Make and keep us open to whatever new ways Jesus needs and wants to come to us today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
Thank you that Jesus came to us in humility.
Thank you that Jesus will come to us in glory.
Thank you that Jesus comes to us in love.
Let our lives reflect the fact of his presence with us; let us become more and more permeated with his love that shows itself in service and in sacrifice.
As we celebrate the past and anticipate the future, help us to live fully in the present; help us, as we look back to the birth of Jesus and as we look forward to his return, to live in light of his presence with us here and now.
Make and keep us open to whatever new ways Jesus needs and wants to come to us today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
A Prayer for Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Tenth Day of Advent
O God,
Thank you for the reality that a little light drives away a great darkness.
Thank you that your Son came into the world as the greatest light; thank you that he came as the Light of the World. Thank you that the darkness never has and never will overcome his light.
Make and keep us aware that we who believe in and who follow Jesus Christ are now the light of the world; make and keep us aware that, like the moon reflects the light of the sun, we reflect the light of the Son. Make and keep us aware that we as the Church are the Body of Christ in the world and that we have the sacred privilege and responsibility of continually shining his light in the darkness.
Where there is hate, let us shine the light of love.
Where there is apathy, let us shine the light of compassion.
Where there is fear, let us shine the light of trust.
Where there is despair, let us shine the light of hope.
Where there is division, let us shine the light of reconciliation.
Where there is greed, let us shine the light of generosity.
Where there is self-centeredness, let us shine the light of selflessness.
Where there is arrogance, let us shine the light of humility.
Where there is strife, let us shine the light of peace.
Amen.
O God,
Thank you for the reality that a little light drives away a great darkness.
Thank you that your Son came into the world as the greatest light; thank you that he came as the Light of the World. Thank you that the darkness never has and never will overcome his light.
Make and keep us aware that we who believe in and who follow Jesus Christ are now the light of the world; make and keep us aware that, like the moon reflects the light of the sun, we reflect the light of the Son. Make and keep us aware that we as the Church are the Body of Christ in the world and that we have the sacred privilege and responsibility of continually shining his light in the darkness.
Where there is hate, let us shine the light of love.
Where there is apathy, let us shine the light of compassion.
Where there is fear, let us shine the light of trust.
Where there is despair, let us shine the light of hope.
Where there is division, let us shine the light of reconciliation.
Where there is greed, let us shine the light of generosity.
Where there is self-centeredness, let us shine the light of selflessness.
Where there is arrogance, let us shine the light of humility.
Where there is strife, let us shine the light of peace.
Amen.
Monday, December 8, 2014
A Prayer for Monday, December 8, 2014
Ninth Day of Advent
O God,
Thank you for those ways and times in which you come to us unbidden and unexpected; thank you for those ways and times in which you come to us unrealized and unrecognized.
While it is our heart’s desire to know you and so to recognize you when you come, it is good for us that it doesn’t always work that way.
For one thing, sometimes it is good for our ego that we don’t recognize you when you come; being who we are, it is all too easy for us to swell with up with pride and to develop a sense of privilege and entitlement.
For another thing, sometimes it is a good test of our faithfulness when we don’t recognize you; we need to be faithful to you and to respond with love and grace in any and all situations as if it is you to whom we are responding whether or not we perceive your presence.
So thank you for those times when you come to us and we don’t know it. Thank you for how you work in such times to teach us how to live and to help us grow in our faithfulness to you.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
Thank you for those ways and times in which you come to us unbidden and unexpected; thank you for those ways and times in which you come to us unrealized and unrecognized.
While it is our heart’s desire to know you and so to recognize you when you come, it is good for us that it doesn’t always work that way.
For one thing, sometimes it is good for our ego that we don’t recognize you when you come; being who we are, it is all too easy for us to swell with up with pride and to develop a sense of privilege and entitlement.
For another thing, sometimes it is a good test of our faithfulness when we don’t recognize you; we need to be faithful to you and to respond with love and grace in any and all situations as if it is you to whom we are responding whether or not we perceive your presence.
So thank you for those times when you come to us and we don’t know it. Thank you for how you work in such times to teach us how to live and to help us grow in our faithfulness to you.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
A Prayer for Sunday, December 7, 2014
Second Sunday of Advent
O God,
While we are looking forward to the celebration of the birth of Jesus, let us also look for ways that we can be the Body of Christ right here and now.
While we are looking ahead to the Second Coming of Jesus, let us also look for ways that we can make ready for his coming right here and now.
As we realize ways that we can be the Body of Christ and that we can prepare for the coming of Christ, help us to act on them.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
While we are looking forward to the celebration of the birth of Jesus, let us also look for ways that we can be the Body of Christ right here and now.
While we are looking ahead to the Second Coming of Jesus, let us also look for ways that we can make ready for his coming right here and now.
As we realize ways that we can be the Body of Christ and that we can prepare for the coming of Christ, help us to act on them.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
A Prayer for Saturday, December 6, 2014
Seventh Day of Advent
O God,
This is the time of year at which people seem more capable than usual of kindness, good will, and generosity.
Why is that?
Is it a temporary idealism fostered by group pressure?
Is it a willingness to suspend reality to indulge in a brief utopian fantasy?
Is it an effort to make up for what we didn’t do the rest of the year?
Or is it the one time of year at which, for whatever reason, we are more open to your love and grace than we are at any other time? Is it the one time of year at which, for whatever reason, we are willing to entertain the possibility that maybe—just maybe—you do come to us in your Son Jesus Christ and you do come to us in each other?
If so, then please help us to carry that sense of possibility with us into the rest of our days …
Amen.
O God,
This is the time of year at which people seem more capable than usual of kindness, good will, and generosity.
Why is that?
Is it a temporary idealism fostered by group pressure?
Is it a willingness to suspend reality to indulge in a brief utopian fantasy?
Is it an effort to make up for what we didn’t do the rest of the year?
Or is it the one time of year at which, for whatever reason, we are more open to your love and grace than we are at any other time? Is it the one time of year at which, for whatever reason, we are willing to entertain the possibility that maybe—just maybe—you do come to us in your Son Jesus Christ and you do come to us in each other?
If so, then please help us to carry that sense of possibility with us into the rest of our days …
Amen.
Friday, December 5, 2014
A Prayer for Friday, December 5, 2014
Sixth Day of Advent
O God,
For what are we asking when we ask you to come to us today?
Are we asking for what already is? Perhaps we would do better to ask that we would be more aware of and more open to your coming to us.
Are we asking for your comfort and for your encouragement? There is no doubt that we need them. But perhaps we would do well to ask also for your summons and for your challenge and for courage to rise to meet them.
Are we asking for ourselves? That’s ok because that’s where we start but it’s not ok if that’s where we end. So please come to others—please come to all—so that we might together know your love and grace and so that we might move toward being one people under you.
Thank you for coming to us today. Thank you for allowing us to grow in our awareness of your presence and of its implications for our lives ....
Amen.
O God,
For what are we asking when we ask you to come to us today?
Are we asking for what already is? Perhaps we would do better to ask that we would be more aware of and more open to your coming to us.
Are we asking for your comfort and for your encouragement? There is no doubt that we need them. But perhaps we would do well to ask also for your summons and for your challenge and for courage to rise to meet them.
Are we asking for ourselves? That’s ok because that’s where we start but it’s not ok if that’s where we end. So please come to others—please come to all—so that we might together know your love and grace and so that we might move toward being one people under you.
Thank you for coming to us today. Thank you for allowing us to grow in our awareness of your presence and of its implications for our lives ....
Amen.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
A Prayer for Thursday, December 4, 2014
Fifth Day of Advent
O God,
Thank you that in the baby born to Mary “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.”
Thank you that the Incarnation continues in us; thank you that Christ is “born in us today” and that we live as the Body of Christ in the world.
Fill us with grace and truth so that we can embody grace and truth in a world that needs both so desperately. Help us to love so deeply, to give so freely, and to serve so willingly that people can see in us the truth about who you are that they might be drawn to you as you really are.
Amen.
O God,
Thank you that in the baby born to Mary “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.”
Thank you that the Incarnation continues in us; thank you that Christ is “born in us today” and that we live as the Body of Christ in the world.
Fill us with grace and truth so that we can embody grace and truth in a world that needs both so desperately. Help us to love so deeply, to give so freely, and to serve so willingly that people can see in us the truth about who you are that they might be drawn to you as you really are.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
A Prayer for Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Fourth Day of Advent
O God,
Work in us through your Spirit and grace to enable us constantly to grow so that we might be as mature as possible—and thus as ready as possible—when your Son Jesus comes again.
Work in us through your Spirit and grace to enable us constantly to grow so that we might be as mature as possible—and thus as ready as possible—when your Son Jesus comes to us today and in every day of our lives.
When it comes to his Second Coming, we have no idea how or when he will appear.
But when it comes to his coming to us here and now, we have a really good idea how and when he appears—he appears every day in the lives of those who love us with his love and in the lives of those who need us to love them with his love.
Thank you for how Christ comes to us in those who love us enough to try to help us in our need.
Thank you for how Christ comes to us in those who give us the opportunity to love him by helping them in their need.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
O God,
Work in us through your Spirit and grace to enable us constantly to grow so that we might be as mature as possible—and thus as ready as possible—when your Son Jesus comes again.
Work in us through your Spirit and grace to enable us constantly to grow so that we might be as mature as possible—and thus as ready as possible—when your Son Jesus comes to us today and in every day of our lives.
When it comes to his Second Coming, we have no idea how or when he will appear.
But when it comes to his coming to us here and now, we have a really good idea how and when he appears—he appears every day in the lives of those who love us with his love and in the lives of those who need us to love them with his love.
Thank you for how Christ comes to us in those who love us enough to try to help us in our need.
Thank you for how Christ comes to us in those who give us the opportunity to love him by helping them in their need.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
A Prayer for Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Third Day of Advent
O God,
On the one hand, forgive us for twiddling our spiritual thumbs when there is so much to do.
On the other hand, forgive us for doing so much without pausing to think and pray about whether we are doing the best things we can do in the best way we can do them.
Let our waiting for you be an active waiting. Let us live our lives fully and freely by your grace; let us grow in loving you with all we are and in thinking of others more than we think of ourselves. Let us do all that we can and should do to prepare ourselves and our world for your coming.
Let our waiting for you also be a reflective waiting. Let us open our lives up to you in prayer so that we can be guided by your Spirit in the ways that we should go; then give us the courage to go in those ways. Let us live in the best ways possible—ways that reflect our experience of and commitment to your love, grace, and mercy.
Show us how to be busy rather than just to look busy.
Amen.
O God,
On the one hand, forgive us for twiddling our spiritual thumbs when there is so much to do.
On the other hand, forgive us for doing so much without pausing to think and pray about whether we are doing the best things we can do in the best way we can do them.
Let our waiting for you be an active waiting. Let us live our lives fully and freely by your grace; let us grow in loving you with all we are and in thinking of others more than we think of ourselves. Let us do all that we can and should do to prepare ourselves and our world for your coming.
Let our waiting for you also be a reflective waiting. Let us open our lives up to you in prayer so that we can be guided by your Spirit in the ways that we should go; then give us the courage to go in those ways. Let us live in the best ways possible—ways that reflect our experience of and commitment to your love, grace, and mercy.
Show us how to be busy rather than just to look busy.
Amen.
Monday, December 1, 2014
A Prayer for Monday, December 1, 2014
Second Day of Advent
O God,
Help us to remember that you keep your promises in unexpected and surprising ways.
After all, while lots of people were looking for a Messiah, few if any expected that he would be born to a poor family, executed on a cross, and raised from the dead.
So help us to trust in the promise that Jesus Christ will come again but let us remember that he might come in unexpected and surprising ways.
And help us to trust in the promise that Jesus Christ comes to us here and now but let us remember that he comes to us in unexpected and surprising ways. In fact, he may have already come to us in ways that were so unexpected that we didn’t even notice.
Thank you that you keep your promises.
Thank you that your keeping of your promises is not limited by our expectations.
Help us to keep our eyes, our hearts, our minds—help us to keep our lives—wide open to however you choose to come to us.
Amen.
O God,
Help us to remember that you keep your promises in unexpected and surprising ways.
After all, while lots of people were looking for a Messiah, few if any expected that he would be born to a poor family, executed on a cross, and raised from the dead.
So help us to trust in the promise that Jesus Christ will come again but let us remember that he might come in unexpected and surprising ways.
And help us to trust in the promise that Jesus Christ comes to us here and now but let us remember that he comes to us in unexpected and surprising ways. In fact, he may have already come to us in ways that were so unexpected that we didn’t even notice.
Thank you that you keep your promises.
Thank you that your keeping of your promises is not limited by our expectations.
Help us to keep our eyes, our hearts, our minds—help us to keep our lives—wide open to however you choose to come to us.
Amen.
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