Let us pray to wake up to the throbbing pulse of violence in our world. May peace replace gunfire, may hope shield us from despair, and love become a breastplate to protect us from darkness. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to stay awake in the bitter cold of apathy. May we learn to care for people surviving without insurance, healthcare, and protective shelter. May we wake from our sleep to work diligently for people’s survival. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to confront our unfaithful hearts. May we tend our hearts to birth gentleness once again within all our relationships. May we yearn only for God this Advent. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to cut the ties of panic that bind us in the dark. May fear and discouragement loosen in us to reveal the face of Jesus this Advent. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to wake up to offer gratitude for our families and those we love. May we view our sleeping families with joy in our protective households. May gratitude be born this Advent. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to remember our journey to Bethlehem and to Calvary in this new liturgical year. May faith become a flare we carry for those surviving dark wars and hatred. May we live the power of Christ’s presence on earth. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to cuddle tenderness and not hate. May we embrace justice for people living behind iron bars, may we provide soup for immigrants, and offer coats for people shoved in cold corners of poverty. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our beloved dead. May they not wait to see the glory of Jesus’ face. May home for them be eternal and filled with joy. We pray to the Lord.