Prayer

God with us,

We give thanks to you today, for drawing near to us when we had drifted so far from you. You have come to meet us just as we are, knowing our experience from the inside out, in our very flesh. We are so humbled by your radical embrace! We who were waiting in darkness now see light bursting forth from the lowliest place. From a dirty cramped stable—God in a manger—you have captured our attention and our hearts are filled with joy! Amen.

Prayer

Giver of all that is good,

Many are filled with excitement today and are about to be showered with joy. We bless their celebrations and are glad they will share such wonderful gifts: belonging, generosity, and love above all. Yet there are others today who, for a number of reasons, may not feel the magic of this holiday. Mindful of them, we pray. . .

For those who are working and unable to pause, reward them for their service and restore them for the time they have given. For those who are lonely this season and missing companions, warm them by gestures of kindness from this one human family. For those who are stricken by illness and pain, soothe them in mind, body, and soul and to feel some measure of your liberating love. For those who are poor and least expecting a sign from the heavens—like those shepherds on that first Christmas eve—astonish them with the good news of your peace and goodwill to all. Amen.

Prayer

Righteous God,

Every day in our world, so many people are treated unjustly and then left to fend for themselves. Their voices are silenced by apathy and the social arrangements that fail to protect their dignity. We know that silence in the face of injustice is the same as complicity. Inspire us this day to speak for the voiceless, defend the oppressed, and take care of those who are so often forgotten. In the power you have already given, we pray, Amen.

Prayer

Living God,

It’s awesome to think of all the gifts and talents you have placed within this ministry. So many skilled and devoted people, united in a mission that is more than human: to extend your own compassion to a world in need, improving the health and well-being of our communities, and bringing good help to the most vulnerable among us. We already know this is about more than just bare survival. . . That’s why we signed up! With the immensity of this calling in mind, we also know we need your help to succeed, today as much as yesterday. Be gracious to us and fill us with your spirit, so that regardless of our role we can share with our sisters and brothers a reason to live and, in some small way, help them to live more abundantly. As one family we pray, Amen.

Prayer

God our Help and Shield,

Waiting is hard! When filled with great hope, we know that nothing we do can bring the future any closer to us. And when filled with great fear, we know nothing can stop the future from coming. You made us this way, caught within time, perhaps to remind us that we are not in control of all things. Help us learn to wait better by drawing closer to you and to trust in your goodness. May our hearts find the freedom to rejoice in the waiting, as we place our hopes and our fears into your trustworthy hands. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God,

It is easy for us to get wrapped up in the frenzy of the holidays. Gift-buying, card-sending, invite-replying, house-decorating, package-mailing—and there’s always one more thing forgotten from some list. We know it’s madness. Yet we sincerely enjoy making love tangible for family and friends, near and far. As we share all these gifts, help us remember that words—gracious words—remain among the very best of gifts we could ever give to another. Wherever we go in the days ahead, open our eyes to notice those around us who are most in need of a sweet, kind word. Open our mouths to speak words they can hear, words filled with grace, compassion, and healing. Amen.

Prayer

God of the Humble,

In this season of advent, our hearts are filled with anticipation for the birth of your son, Jesus. And every year we are baffled again by this wonder of wonders, that the God who spoke the world into being did not despise our lowliness, but freely chose to enter our experience—our poverty, weakness, and brokenness. You have bound yourself to us with a love beyond all telling! For when we did not know you and could never deserve it, you took the most radical step of inclusion and became one with us. Humbled by your love, we say thank you. Amen.