Prayer

Gracious God,

What a joyous day it is! With you and angels and saints, we gladly celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus, through whom divine grace has been revealed, in our very flesh, opening a new way of life for all of us! May our celebrations today fill us with hope and make us ever more eager to do what is good. Amen!

Prayer

Merciful God,

Many are filled with excitement today as they share the most blessed gifts of connection, community, love, and generosity. We praise you for such celebrations! Yet there are also others who, for any number of reasons, may be grieving this time of year or are otherwise struggling. We are mindful of them and pray that you would show them your mercy. Grant them peace and comfort and send us to show them your goodness. We are mindful as well, of all those who may be working and unable to pause during Christmastime this year. We pray you would reward them for their service and restore to them the time they are sacrificing for the sake of others. With peace and goodwill, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Spirit of Kindness,

It’s the time of year when schedules stretch thin and our pace gets hasty. Amidst all the busyness, help us hold on to the things that matter most and the values that keep us human together, especially the value of kindness. Empower us as a ministry, not just to extend your healing effectively, but to do so with genuine kindness. In all that we do and say for patients and families, and our wider communities, keep us kind, especially towards those who might be the most challenging or those we are tempted to ignore and neglect. May we sincerely strive to beautify the people and places around us with kindness today. As a people on mission, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,

On this final Sunday of Advent, we focus attention on the love you have so generously lavished on us, in sending to us your son, Jesus. Humbly we ask you to continue showering your lovingkindness towards us. Continue to look down from heaven and see us, take care of us, and protect us, especially those who are most vulnerable and suffering through various challenges. May we who extend Jesus’ ministry today open our own eyes and be willing truly to see those most in need of our protection and care. Make us willing to do whatever is necessary to provide these gifts, out of gratitude to you. Amen.

Prayer

God of life,

Even in winter, so much is happening beneath the surface of the earth, lying in wait, until springtime will burst forth with new life. As we reflect upon the gift of creation and the way you sustain the whole web of life in every season, guide us to greater degrees of trust in you and your faithfulness towards us. May we grow ever more eager to respond to your provision by proving ourselves faithful in return, standing up as stewards of creation, looking for effective ways to nourish the landscape we share as one human family and as a ministry called by your name. Amen.

Prayer

God of love,

Because you first loved us, we are able to love. The love you show us is expansive and boundless, a free-flowing love that nurtures growth and manifests in beautiful ways in our lives. As we move forward, help us to love others with that same generous and liberating love, embracing the growth that follows. In love, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

God of Peace,

In recent days, there seem to be many storms not just in the weather, but in our lives—political storms, foreign affairs storms, climate change storms, family feuds—all threatening our tranquility. However, when we place our full trust in you, we find the courage to walk bravely through these storms to the peace that lies within. Help us to trust that you walk beside us each day, calming the storms we face. In gratitude, we pray. Amen.