Prayers for the week commencing Sunday 18th December 2022

Prayer of Praise

Creator and Redeemer, you did not plant the seed of this Earth into the Universe as if by chance.

It was your hand that placed it here, your plan to grow it here.

You did not populate this earth with a people made in your image purely by chance.

It was your hand that placed us here, your breath that keeps us here.

You did not come as a tiny child to walk this earth as if by chance.

It was your Love that brought you here, your Grace that saved us here.

Our Creator and Redeemer, you gave your all to the World.

In the bleakness of that stable, Love was born that day; pure love, undiluted, poured out for all who call on Your name.

Such Grace, unmerited, deserves a response in the life that we lead. Forgive our ingratitude after all you have done.

Draw us to your Word, give us a new song to sing, that will resonate throughout this World and begin with us today.

We are not grains of sand upon the shore, buffeted by sea and storm.

We are individuals loved by God, more intimately than we could ever know.

Though from a distance we seem insignificant and frail, the creating breath that formed us now lives in and sustains us.

Thank you, Saving God, made known to us in Jesus Christ, not only by his words but through his sacrificial life. May our lives reflect not only his love, but your glory, and the whole earth sing your praises. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

God of love, the Psalmist was right in asking how long will you be angry with your people – because we, in our weakness, get caught up so easily in the ‘silliness’ of this season.

Our sense of wonder over the depth of your love for us becomes dulled. Our preoccupation with choosing suitable gifts and preparing acceptable food can make us quite unloving as Christmas draws nearer.

Forgive us, O God, when we have failed in word or deed to proclaim that the birth of Jesus is the wonderful and true reason for the Christmas season.

Rekindle our sense of wonder, O God, at your choosing to share our humanity, by being born, as we all were, a vulnerable and helpless baby.

Thank you Father, for your patience with a rebellious people,

Loving you one moment, forgetting you the next.

Thank you for your endless love which does not give up,

But wants the best for us despite our faults.

Thank you for your promise, to all who believe,

And put their trust in you, everlasting life.

You challenge us this Advent time, this season of preparation,

To put aside our pride, and understand our need for repentance, forgiveness and mercy.

Less of self,

More of you.

Merciful God, as we watch and wait for your breaking into our world once more, in the person of Jesus, shape and reshape our priorities

So that the gift we give which is most cherished will be our witness to your love in ways that are transforming, visible and lasting.

Purify our hearts, sanctify our lives,

That we might serve you faithfully this day and all days. Amen.

(https://www.faithandworship.com/prayers_Christmas.htm#gsc.tab=0)

(Moira Laidlaw in Liturgies Online Year A Advent 4)

Assurance of Forgiveness

(from Romans 1: 4 & 7)

The Apostle Paul reminds the Church in Rome of the great power of God in raising Jesus Christ from death, and of the great love of God is His desire that people would believe and obey Him and respond to His call to be His people.

In repenting of our sins before God, we have put our faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ, we have shown that we believe and obey. Let us be assured then, that God has forgiven our sins and that God demonstrates His love for us and calls each one of us to belong to Him.

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others

Loving God, knowing your love for all of Humanity, especially your compassion for the needy, we come to you with our cares and our concerns.

Send your Spirit of compassion upon the Earth. Enter the places of hate and conflict and impose your amazing and lasting love. Help them to see the way to peace and prosperity

Hear the cries of the forgotten and bring them comfort. Hear the cries of those who are suffering and oppressed by those with power and control.

Bless those who work in the caring professions that they are encouraged and strengthened for their work of giving to others. Bless those who put themselves in harms way, to protect the defenceless.

We pray for the Church around the world as it celebrates the birth of Christ. Bless all those who are entrusted with Christian ministry that your Word might be proclaimed with truth and courage across our world.

Bestow your wisdom on all who govern others, that they may work towards reconciling differences and eliminating want and need.

We pray for all who are cold, hungry, or alone this Advent Season. Embrace with your tender care all who wander alone or have no place to lay their head, that they may experience the hope of change for their lives.

We pray for all who are anxious, depressed, or ill, those are suffering or sick, in body, mind, heart, and soul, that they may feel your comfort.

We pray for parents, families, and newborn infants, for strengthen bonds of love and commitment, that they may delight in the joy of family life.

Thank you for loving us so much that You gave Your only Son to die for my sins, and be the way for a sinner such as myself to come before You.

Lord, I pray that in our lives, you will multiply our love. Help us to love friends and family more. Teach us to love strangers the way You do.

We pray for ourselves, that our hearts are open to your presence, that we may be transformed by your love. Loving God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your compassion and care. To your glory we pray.

(from National Council of Churches in Australia Liturgy for Advent Four – 2022)

(https://www.faithandworship.com/prayers_Christmas.htm#gsc.tab=0)

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

Now and forever. Amen.