Third Sunday of Advent: Prayers of the Faithful

December 11, 2022

Let us pray for our Universal Church. May we reach beyond the doors of our buildings to touch the suffering of every human concern. May John the Baptist open us to new possibilities and deeper compassion.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to seek joy this Advent. May our burdens be eased with gratitude, our sores be soaked in the healing balm of justice, and our failures be turned into paths of grace.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray that the blind may gain sight and the lame may dance with joy. May our bodies become the houses where healing thrives. May our souls rejoice and may we stand upright with gladness.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for hearts that are stored away in hurt. May our wounds of loss and grief be the house in which joy and compassion live forever. May we build our futures on mercy and tenderness.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people pushed to the margins of life from our disrespect and apathy. May reconciliation and peace bring people to the center of love and life.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for second chances and new opinions of people. May we not furrow our brows toward people with whom we disagree. May we truly see the beauty of people who are different from ourselves.

We pray to the Lord.  

Let us pray for our own prison doors to be opened in Advent. May we not settle for pettiness, jealously, and narrow mindedness. May God break open our darkened hearts and flood our lives with brilliance and faith.

We pray to the Lord.  

Let us pray for our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Christ Jesus. May the dead find new home in God’s eternal Kingdom.

We pray to the Lord.