Third Sunday of Advent

December 17, 2023

Let us pray for courage this Advent. May we not resist God’s invitation to pray always and never lose heart. May we not resist the suffering of our neighbor or ignore our call to justice in our world.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the end of war, mass shootings, and all destruction.  May our aching hearts and unresolved faith discover new hope as we serve survivors of injustice. May Advent truly bring the Prince of Peace.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for hope in this Advent. May we never tire to lift up our souls to God’s grace no matter our pain, our scars, our weariness. May hope flood our soul in this holy season.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the brokenhearted. May we be attentive to people whose hearts are broken from divorce or job loss. May those wearied by family violence find the merciful presence of our long-awaited Savior.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for children in this Advent season. May our youth who suffer from depression and loneliness find healing miracles in God’s grace. May we serve our young without measure.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people who live behind bars and those who await trials. May prisoners find release and hope for their future. May all people live in God’s freedom.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to bring glad tidings to God’s beloved poor. May we act with courage to bring housing to the houseless and food to people without resources. May we work for justice and pray without ceasing for the real needs of people.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people lost among the margins of our world. May people suffering mental anguish and those who cannot make ends meet be brought into the merciful justice of God. May we not blame people for their suffering or their poverty.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our elderly poor. May our aging brothers and sisters without health insurance find resources to survive illness and disease. May we listen to the lonely and console the terminally ill.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our beloved dead. May hope spring up in our hearts for our loved ones now resting in the richness of heaven. May eternity bring us solace on earth for people we have loved.

We pray to the Lord.