Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 24, 2023

Let us pray for God’s endless mercy and love. May we prepare for Christ daily in our lives with hope, love and joy. May Christ become miracle in our waiting lives.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for impossible things. May peace abide in God’s promise that all things are possible. May truth become known in every land under the sun.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for wisdom in our last-minute Advent preparation. May our hearts be broken open to prepare for our Savior. May we long for all that seems unattainable on earth in the richness of the Incarnation.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for delight in our family gatherings this Christmas. May our loved ones find a voice of gratitude and joy. May Christ’s presence among one another discourage discord and bickering. May love be born again around our family tables.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for leaders of nations in this season of hope. May we end war, violence, conflict and gunfire in this season that penetrates hopelessness with abiding love.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for sheer delight in this season of waiting. May the veil of human loss be open to God’s eternal presence. May Christ find us longing for him alone.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for miracles upon miracles. May God’s angels sing hymns of awe and wonder in the ears of people despairing from ill health, job loss and divorce. May Christ awaken our call to serve from every household.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for tenderness in our grief. May we discover the miracle of God’s healing grace even when our loved ones leave the earth. May our loss become a new home for faith and compassion.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for all who have died. May our Advent longing be real among our beloved dead who now see God face to face.

We pray to the Lord.