“For Whom This Time Is Difficult”

Glorious and blessed God, we give you thanks and praise your name. We declare your faithful love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. you make us glad for your reconciling work among us, and we sing for joy! From everlasting to everlasting you are God, our refuge and rock!

Help us be still in your presence and grow strong, depending on your strength and not our own. Cast out our sin, enter in and be born in us this day.

We confess we are scared far too much of the time. Free us from fear and worry. You’ve known us since before we were born, and love us exactly as you’ve made us. You know us inside out. We belong to you. We are secure in you. You are in charge. Help us remember. Keep us close. Help us not miss out on your grace. Save us from disbelief. Hear now our silent prayers as we open our hearts to you. (Silence)

Thank you for the blessings of this Christmas season. Thank you for health and home, for parents, for children, for sisters and brothers and good friends. Thank you for our baptism and place in your Church. We pray for those who are sad and for whom this time is difficult. We pray for the sick, the poor, those in prison, those at war.

Pour out your grace upon all your creation, O God of glory, O Prince of Peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Emmanuel, Sun of Righteousness, Light and Life to us all, and who still teaches us to pray together…

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us—not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”

“Beacons of Justice”

Eternal God, from whom we come, in whom we live and move and have our being, to whom we return, you bring us such good news at Christmas! your gifts are many and full of wonder: glory, peace, mercy, reconciliation from sin, light and life, healing.

You are so pleased with us as daughters and sons that you come to us in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem, and shine in our dark streets with everlasting light. You have taken flesh upon yourself, become one with us, one of us, that we may be one with you. Surprising and gracious God, we are pleased to dwell with you, too. Thank you for being our God, and for choosing us as your people. 

Thank you for casting out our sin and entering in. Do make us beacons of your justice and defenders of those for whom there is no room—the homeless and hungry, the unemployed and uninsured, the imprisoned, the victims of prejudice and persecution. We pray for all in need—the sick, the dying, those grieving, those working hard to overcome addictions. We lift them to you silently. (Silence)

Let there be joy in our world today…joy that you have come to us again…joy that all nations may rise and join the triumph of the skies…joy that you enter in still where meek souls receive you…joy that you are here, that you are as near as our breathing…joy that we know you and are found in you through Jesus, our Emmanuel, to whom be glory and honor and praise forever and ever…joy that each day you open our eyes to his presence, and prayerfully intercede in and through and for us, teaching us even now to pray together… “Our Father who art in heaven…

 

“Not Everyone Sings”

God—our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer—thank you for your good gift of life. Thank you for loving us with persistent resolve. Thank you for strength and courage sufficient for today’s brightness and the shadows of tonight. Thank you for knowing us by name and claiming us as your own. 

When we go through difficult times, you are with us, so we are not overcome. Though wounded and scarred, you heal and make us whole. The rivers do not overwhelm; the fires cannot consume, for you are God, the Holy One, our savior. There is pure joy in this world because of your coming at Christmas—all heaven and nature sing your praise, and so do we!

But not everyone is singing. Many are hurting, discouraged, trying desperately to push back darkness, but unable to do so alone. Help them, Lord. Help us help them. Give them hope, peace, joy. “Now may the whole world see that long waited for light which is yours.” We now lift to you silently all who are in need. (Silence)

Forgive us, God, when we fail to appreciate the struggles of others and are too quick to judge. Grant us understanding hearts and generous spirits. Make us willing to do the things that make for peace. This we ask in Jesus’ name, the same Jesus who taught then and teaches us to pray together…“Our Father who art in heaven…

“Joy to Our World”

Delighted God, who brings joy to our world, who makes yourself known to us in Jesus who is our Light and in whom there is no darkness at all, we praise you! Inventive creator of the ends of the earth, the stars and planets and heavens above, we worship you!

Thank you for the way you bless us. Thank you for celebrating our gladness and consoling us in our sadness. Thank you for setting us free from anxiety and fear. Thank you for protecting us, for hemming us in, behind and before, so we don’t unravel. When we are bruised you, soothe us. When we despair, you give us hope. When we are restless, you help us find our rest in you. 

We confess that in us which separates us from you—our thoughts, our actions, our lack of action. Our resistance to the changes you ask us to make. Our doubting you. Our distressing you. Please, forgive us. Forgive us. Thank you in your mercy and grace for continuing to affirm the best in us without shaming the worst in us. Hear now our silent prayers. (Silence)

We pray for the poor and homeless, and those barely making it financially. For those who are sick, or hospitalized, or in rehab, or who have died, or who grieve, and for all in need of your healing touch. For those who have been harmed and those who harmed them, and for appropriate ways to express our anger. Hear now our silent prayers. (Silence)

We pray in this season of Christmas as we celebrate your coming, a season of expectation and promise. We pray in the name of Jesus who shines in our hearts and minds, who shepherds our souls, and who still teaches us to pray together…“Our Father who art in heaven…

“Making Home Here”

Dearly loved Jesus, at Christmas we come to worship you. We come to praise you. We come to adore you on bended knee. We honor you. We declare your glory. We bless your name. Blessed Jesus at Christmas, let heaven and nature sing!

Thank you for making your home here. Thank you for helping us recognize and receive you. Thank you for enabling us to believe, that we may become one with you. 

Forgive when we do not perceive your presence, when we fail to acknowledge and honor your Holy Spirit in each other. Forgive when we underestimate our importance to you. Impress upon us your love, and forgive when we doubt the reason you came to be with us. Hear now our silent prayers. (Silence) 

We pray for those who suffer pain. For those whose minds and hearts are troubled. For those who wish to die. For the poor. For those in prison. For those who do not yet know you, but need you.

As we prepare for the new year, we ask that you grow us closer to you than we’ve ever been. Rest your hand upon us. Make us strong with your strength, wise in your ways, patient with each other and ourselves. Keep us humble. Keep us in good humor. Let your peace and your joy surprise us. 

Dearly loved Jesus, at Christmas we worship you, we adore you on bended knee, so let heaven and nature sing! Divine child born at Christmas, savior raised at Easter, we pray to you who still teach us to pray together…“Our Father who art in heaven...