Prayer

God our strength,

Today we pray for those in our lives who are feeling like everything is going against them. May they be empowered by your spirit to find new depths of inner resilience and strength. Let neighbors and friends like us come around them to give them support and encouragement, so that as we lift them up and share their burden, their trials might be transformed into new momentum to go forward. By your grace, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Spirit of collaboration,

Your interventions on our behalf are cause for celebration, reminding us that you are constantly at work within our feeble humanity, accomplishing great works of grace and redemption. Today, as your Church celebrates the mystery of Mary’s immaculate conception, we ask that the example of Mary’s life would inspire each one of us to be more open to your plans for us, and through us, for the life of the world. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty G-d,

Hanukkah reminds us that it is a great gift to be able to worship you in freedom. May we who are so fortunate as to enjoy this blessing be more mindful of those who suffer for their religious convictions. Let us pray urgently for them and do what we can to bring more of your liberating peace and shalom into the world. We pray this in your name, as one human family. Amen.

Prayer

God on mission,

We live and work amid a constant stream of noise. It can be challenging enough just to stave off the distractions and focus on the job at hand, let alone to find meaning and purpose through it all. Yet you have called us to such a great calling! Beyond the "daily grind," you invite us to extend your very own ministry of compassion and healing and service. Help each one of us, no matter our role or function, to lift up our hearts, to rise above the noise, and to hold fast to the things that matter. For the sake of those waiting for our focused attention and service, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Healing God,

Many today are struggling with a lack of peace. We think of our patients and families, of our colleagues and friends, of neighbors in our community and even ourselves. In different ways and for different reasons, we are all anxious to find and live in more peace. Deliver us today from harboring anxiety and worry, and from thinking it’s all up to us to solve all our problems. Remind us instead that you are the source of all comfort and, as we surrender our cares to you, you have promised to exchange them for peace. May it be so, humbly we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of my neighbor,

The diversity of your family is something at which we should marvel and be glad! For through good conversation with people different than us we are able see how small and fragmentary our usual perspectives can be. Encounters with others invite us to deepen our respect for a family much bigger and richer than we ever knew we belonged to. Give us such good conversations today, that we might be changed and become all the more eager to contribute to a culture that is humble, hospitable, and inclusive. Amen.

Prayer

God of hope,

This first Sunday of Advent is a welcome opportunity for us to begin preparing ourselves for Christmas, renewing our sense of hope for your presence dwelling among us. For the gift of your son, Jesus, and the promise of your accompaniment, we are eternally thankful. And so in a spirit of gratitude we take time to pause and look inward, ensuring that nothing is keeping us from fully embracing every good gift you choose to pour down on us. In the advent hope of your light to come, Amen.