Prayers of the People: Between Almost and Finally! ~ Christmas '18 Yr C

For December 24/25, 2018, Year C, Readings: Christmas Eve ~ Luke 2:1-20 at Creche, Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14, John 1:1-14; 

Christmas Day ~ Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20

       The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...For a child has been born for us, a son given to us...and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:2a, 6]

       Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. [Psalm 96:1-2]

        

       The grace of God appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce…worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly… [Titus 2:11-12]

       In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy...to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah...and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God... [Luke 2:8-11, 13]

        In the beginning was the Word…What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world…And the Word became flesh and lived among us… [John 1:1a, 3b-5, 9, 14a]  

          There is something almost magical, perhaps mystical is a better word, that occurs within me when I hear the words from Luke 2, especially when we get to:  In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night... I become expectant. I become my 6 year old self, hearing the resonant voice of a familiar narrator. I am hope-filled. All is right in the world...for this moment. 

          Every year someone asks, "If only we could stay this way all year." The spell cast by the words and the music, the glitter of ornaments and lights, and the chatter of little ones and bigger ones ripping paper to reap the reward, breaks all too soon. Our precious Infant has a far and difficult road to travel in only the few months between now and Easter. What part of it will we travel with him as the moment spins into what we call reality? What part of the reality of others in our community and in the world at large ~ poverty, violence, war, greed, and disasters natural or human made ~ do we shun, dismiss, ignore or, throw money to, all while decrying the lack of Christ in Christmas?

          Most of the readings for this sacred season are so familiar that even non-Christians will know them. Yet what stood out for me this time was the short lesson from the Letter of Paul to Titus that often gets lost in the sparkle of the others. In particular, I was engaged by a phrase in the first of this only two-sentence reading: The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly… [emphasis added]. Jesus, our personal trainer, in our own time! We are so often ~ in our own time ~ bedazzled by the glamor of this season, in stark contrast to the humble surroundings of the birth of our Redeemer, that I am drawn to the concept of Jesus training us. The Gospels give us more than just advice, more than just reminders, more than just checklists of nice things to do, even more than teaching. Jesus is our trainer, the one that will keep us on track, pushing us to go beyond the comfortable, to reach a potential of faith in action that we didn’t ever consider or because we fear the risks in renouncing all that is earthbound. No easy path, but with Christ as my trainer, my faith will begin to shape up, become toned, and strengthen. For me, now, the question isn’t “what is Christmas all about” but rather “what does Christmas begin in my life?”

         Christ is always in CHRISTmas...let's remember to keep Christ in Mondays, Thursdays, in February, and August. Let us truly Sing to the Lord and bless his name and proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day to ourselves first! Let us live out what we believe in. Feel the JOY! The Light shines again and always. Suit up, the training begins now! 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, our joy, at long last, is unbounded by the arrival of You, our Messiah, come to redeem our sins and mark us as Your own forever. Hallelujah! Christ our Savior is born!

                                                             Glory to God in the Highest
                                      RESPONSE: And Peace to God’s People on Earth

~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, infuse our souls with Your pure light that we may stand in Your grace before the earthly powers of our world, our nation, and our community, to radiate and model Your peace, love, and mercy for all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, send healing and hope to all who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit, and  comfort those who give them support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…  add your own petitions

                                                      

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, especially now, encircle all grieving hearts with the solace that brightens the darkness, as the vaults of heaven explode in jubilance and glory for our loved ones entering the gates of eternity. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                                    

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

~  Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…  add your own petitions

                                                      

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

             

~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, for our own Shepherds in this sacred field we give great thanks as they keep watch and guide us toward the ultimate pasture of Your redemption. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                      

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

The Celebrant adds: O Lord of Hosts, God’s Word Made Flesh, so activate our wills, so engage our very beings, that we will consciously and intentionally live into Your saving grace each and every day of our lives. On bended knees, and with worshipful hearts, we ask this of You as our Prince of Peace, and of the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who together with the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth, reign in glory as One God, now until the end of forever. Hallelujah! Christ our Savior is Born! Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Between Not Yet and Almost ~ 4th Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 23, 2018,  4^th Sunday of Advent, Year C, Readings: Micah 5:2-5a, Canticle 15/Luke 1:46-55/Song of Mary, 
Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45

       But you, O Bethlehem... from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. [Micah 5:2]

      And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [Hebrews 10:10]

       My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord...for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant...He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. [Luke 1:46a, 48, 51-52]

       When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb...And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." [Luke 1:41-42, 45]

     Here is yet another chance to pause in the midst of all the busy-ness. A moment to listen to the beauty of this exchange between these two kinswomen and consider who they were in their time and who they have become to us. The elder Elizabeth, was a barren woman for so many years until suddenly she is with child, a very important child, John, the Baptizer, who will prepare the way of the Lord. In her day she was likely ostracized in her community for most of her adult life, or at the very least considered a failure, because of her seeming infertility. The much younger and virginal Mary, recently told by an Angel that she is bearing the Son of God, of all things, would also bear shame in her community as well as the uncertainty of Joseph, her betrothed, because of her condition. Would he be able to come to terms with this mystery in such a time? (Of course, we already know he'll have an angelic visitation of his own [Matthew 1:18-25] and will be a loving, protective husband.)

    These women come together and speak to us, to awaken us from the haze of frantic preparations for a celebration that is more earth-bound than spiritual. In their greetings to each other we discover the unexpectedness of this moment of expectation, the message of embracing the twists and turns of life, and recognizing that God is present at all times ~ when we feel elated and when we feel shamed or anxious or uncertain. We are not alone in the darkest of times or in the happiest. Blessed is s/he who believes that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's Promise. Jesus comes as the face of God to sanctify and save us. Stop, sit, breathe in the peace of the quiet. Let us not race ahead, but remain in the stillness, in the space between not yet and almost, savoring the expectation of Christ's birth, and finding an unexpected freshness in the joy of anticipation. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy and Almighty God, open our souls to proclaim Your greatness, and call upon our spirits to rise in joy, as we await the coming of the One of peace, the Light from Light begotten to sanctify and save us.

                                                    O Lord of Strength and Mercy

RESPONSE:                 Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, help us to lift up the lowly in this World, in our Nation, and in our Community. Guide us in our quest to implore all earthly leaders to persevere in the cause of peace, justice, and joy for all of the children of Abraham. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, grant hope to all laid low by chronic illness, poverty, or emotional anguish, and bring comfort to all who love them. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

  

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, unburden the hearts of all who grieve with the assurance of new life for those who now rest forever in Your radiant glory. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, bestow extra grace upon those who are anointed to bring us Your Word and Sacraments, as they guide us all to discover and act upon Your will in our lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

The Celebrant adds: O God of Hosts, shine Your favor upon us as we make ready to receive the One who comes. Restore us to Your purpose that the fruit of our lives may be a reflection of Your infinite blessings. We ask through Jesus, our Joyful Expectation, and the Holy Spirit, Your Sacred Breath, who together with You, live and reign as One God, now and forever. Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Fire and Fruit ~ 3rd Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 16, 2018,  3^rd Sunday of Advent, Year C, Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20, First Song of Isaiah, Philippians 4:4-7, 

Luke 3:7-18

    The Lord, your God, is in your midst...he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love. [Zephaniah 3:17]

      Surely it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid…the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior... [Canticle 9/Isaiah 12:2, 5]

      Rejoice in the Lord always…The Lord is near. Do not worry...And the peace of God, that passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  [Philippians 4:6]

      Bear fruits worthy of repentance…One who is more powerful than I is coming…He will baptize your with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

[Luke 3:8a, 16b,c]

      In the midst of this otherwise reverently penitential Advent, our season of waiting for the Nativity of Jesus, we come to the Sunday of Rejoicing. The rose candle, the symbol of joy, will be lighted as a sign of our call to be joyous in the nearness of God, in the coming of Christ. Time to experience the excitement, that in Christ, we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and the fire to spark our faith into action. The writer of Philippians is quite specific by saying Do not worry about anything, because the Lord is near with the peace that surpasses all understanding. It’s hardly easy to relax and not worry in a world seemingly mad with fear and anger, division and hate. Yet all the readings for today exhort us to rejoice, exult, and sing ~ even John the Baptizer, while issuing some serious warnings, proclaimed the good news to the people about the One who is coming.

     While enjoying the joy, we must also take the Baptizer’s message to heart and take some prayerful time to contemplate our sins. That winnowing fork of Jesus, John speaks of, will gather the faithful but send the chaff that doesn't bear good fruit ~ the unrepentant ~ to burn with unquenchable fire. As I race to hang the stockings with care, I need to consider how am I actually living into the faith that I claim? I’m guessing that my murmurs of familiar words on Sunday morning aren’t quite enough to keep me out of that burning refuse.

      Although this is the third Sunday of Advent, it’s a new moment in time. A chance to begin again, to discover that our God, our Christ, our Holy Spirit is truly in our midst, present, teaching, renewing us in love, and filling us with holy fire. Let us turn our focus toward our God ~ that is, to repent ~ to refresh our minds and hearts by worship, praise, and prayer. It is time to reconcile who we are in faith with who we want to become. What must I do differently to be thankful, joyful, and live faithfully? This is the time to look through rose-colored glasses to see the joy that lights up the darkness. Together in faith we become a spiritual orchard bearing only good fruit, gathered by Christ, our Savior, and brought Home.  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! [Philipians 4:4]

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, our Stronghold, stir up our faith that our trust in You will free us from fear and worry. Renew us in Your love as we give You thanks with great rejoicing, exalting Your name by every part of our lives.

                                                   O Lord, our Sure Defense              

RESPONSE:                 Guard our hearts and minds

~ O God, our Stronghold, infuse us with such joy that we may turn the tide of hatred and division into the calm waters of Your peace. Let us inspire especially, all who impose their political pathways on this world, this nation, and this community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

~ O God, our Stronghold, restore health and hope for all afflicted with serious illness, addiction, or despair, and strengthen all who give them love and support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

~ O God, our Stronghold, soothe the grieving with the comfort of knowing that You have gathered those we love into the blissful splendor Your Eternal Home. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

~  O God, our Stronghold, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

             

~ O God, our Stronghold, grant special grace and enduring eagerness to all anointed to serve You in Your Church, as they draw us to You on our journey to salvation. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

             

The Celebrant adds:  Most Holy God always in our midst, revive our desire to bear good, worthy, and faith-filled fruit in our souls. Turn us always in Your direction, that we may receive and experience the depth of Your peace that passes all understanding. We ask through the Good News of Jesus our Christ; and the Holy Spirit, the Fire of our faith; who together with You reign as One God, in glory, now and forever.  Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Un-warp ~ 2nd Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 9, 2018, 2^nd Sunday of Advent, Year C, Readings: Baruch 5:1-9, Canticle 16/Song of Zechariah/Luke 1:68-69, 

Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6

       For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back…carried in glory, as on a royal throne. [Baruch 5:6]       

       In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death... [Canticle 16/Luke 1:78-79a]

      I thank my God every time I remember you…And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight…so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless… [Philippians 1:3, 9, 10b]

     [A]s it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight...'" [Luke 3:4]

             "Slow down you move too fast, got to make the [moment] last..." sang Simon and Garfunkel once upon a long time ago. But at this time of the year we seem to be in warp speed. The clock is ticking, the dates on the calendar fly, there's so much to do, to get, to buy, to wrap, to cook, to clean, to prepare, to finish...so how is THIS supposed to be the season of waiting? The clear question arises – for what is it, exactly, are we preparing? It is, of course, for the coming of Jesus, the birth of the Child raised up by God as our Mighty Savior, as we hear in the Song of Zechariah. John, the son of Zechariah, comes out of the wilderness, as the voice crying in the wilderness, that Isaiah foretold, to proclaim a baptism of repentance and remind us to prepare the way of the Lord.

      Advent is time to think new thoughts about the whys of what we do; a time to be conscious about what is the true gift of life; time to take a break from the ordinary hurry and worry to make ourselves ready for the Christ who saves our souls. Yet this time is made excessively stressful by self-imposed earthly expectations that we accept on behalf of this season. Waiting in these few weeks exacerbates the multiple frustrations of life. There are lines everywhere ~ at the copier, the elevator, the Post Office, the grocery store, in traffic, the doctor's office, and don’t even talk about the mall! But instead of caving to irritation and anger, we can use it to take long, slow, deep breaths and reflect on our deeds of the day, the week, or whatever time frame we choose; the moments that were good, bad, or really not pretty. How often have I looked for God in those moments, offered a brief prayer, a petition, a thanksgiving? 

       How might a little waiting time with God adjust my perspective during my short time in this world? One minute now, 5 later, in the shower, just after turning out the light...just before opening my eyes in the morning, on the way to work...I can make those times God-moments and the more of those I have, the less stress I will have, or at least the stronger I’ll feel in the midst of it all.

      Another suggestion I’ve seen is to start Dec 1 and read one chapter of Luke per day so that by Christmas Eve we will have read the entire life of Christ. Perhaps we’ll arrive at a deeper understanding of the meaning of Christmas itself. Even the decorations take on a new vibrancy, as if you prepare your home for the arrival of an amazingly special guest, the One on whom your entire life depends. So, even though this is the second Sunday of Advent, there's time to catch up and prepare your own way for the Lord. Slow down. Don’t move too fast. Un-warp. The Lord is with you.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Glory and Praise, calm our preparations for the celebration ahead, that we may take time now to prepare ourselves for Christ, God’s true gift. Overflow us with Your love as we make way for the coming of our Savior in each and every day.

                                                     O Lord, our God

RESPONSE:                  Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, for all who cry out from the wilderness of hunger, separation, and fear, urge us to exhort all who govern on this Earth, in this Country, and in this Community, to deliver the distressed from the shadow of death into the brightness of safety and abundance. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, shine Your healing light and love on those who dwell in the darkness of chronic illness or spiritual isolation, and sustain the energy of all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, hold fast to those traveling the rough way of grief as You embrace our loved ones now arrived in the fullness of joy to Your everlasting splendor. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

             

~ God of Glory and Praise, grant continuing renewal and unlimited energy to all who guide us in our worship, teach us Your words, and share our journey to eternal life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

             

The Celebrant adds: O God of the Eternal Dawn and Endless Love, guide us to accept and proclaim a new baptism of repentance and to put our life in Christ above all worldly pursuits, that if suddenly called, we will be ready to account for our time of earthly life. We ask through Jesus the Christ, our Mighty Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who together with You are One God, forever and ever. Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Hope's on First ~ 1st Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 2, 2018, 1^st Sunday of Advent Yr C, Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Ps 25: 1-9, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21-25-36

       In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. [Jeremiah 33:15]

     To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul…I put my trust in you…let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes…Show me your ways and teach me your paths. [Psalm 25:1a, 2b, 3]

     Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. [1 Thessalonians 3:11]

   …my words will not pass away. Be on guard that your hearts are not weighed down with…the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly like a trap. [Luke 21:33, 34]

        Happy New Year! That is, a New Church Year. The liturgical season of Advent begins this Sunday in many denominations of Christianity. These four weeks are a time of soulful preparation through self-reflection, repentance, and the expectant waiting for the Nativity, the birth, of Jesus. It is a time for us to start over, to unburden our hearts from the weight of worldly worries, and to renew our commitment to a regular pattern of prayer, worship, and sincere Christian action. It is time to remember to answer the call to increase and abound in love for one another, to restore our faith, and to be ready for that day that will come for us all. If we are not alert, that day may arrive unexpectedly, like a trap, and catch us unprepared. Too often we are caught up in the earthly distractions of the tinsel and trappings, the busy and the bustling of celebrating as if THAT DAY, the one in which we are each called on account, will never happen. And yet, it most certainly will. Christ will come again – will I be ready?

        The word advent is from the Latin adventus which means coming, and we will mark each week by the lighting of a candle in an Advent Wreath with a prayerful reflection before the Liturgy (the Mass or the Service) begins. Each candle represents a theme from the readings of that week. Some people will also use an Advent Calendar to mark each day of the week with a special prayer or meditation on the theme. Advent is the opportunity to be more intentional about preparing for the arrival of Jesus, our Savior.

        This week’s theme is Hope. In yet another year that the lives of millions have been decimated across the world by torrential rains, earthquakes, horrific fires, and the devastating violence wrought by humans, it does give pause and perhaps a sharp inhalation of breath and wonder about what could be next. Never have we needed hope more than now.

        As in every liturgical season of the Church, each of our readings give us insight and instruction to ponder and enlighten us for the week ahead. This week Jesus tells us that his words will never pass away no matter what else happens. Through prayer and attention to our call, we will be ready to stand before the Son of Man. Our Hope truly is in the name and substance of the Lord, and, in our willingness to turn the thoughts and actions of our lives toward the light of God's presence now and to come. 

        It's definitely not easy to get back on the right course, especially at this time of year with all the false glitter that obscures our inner vision and diverts us from our good intentions. But our path forward begins to clear when we are sincere in our desire to dedicate our lives to Christ, and made easier in faith-filled communities earnest in preparation for his return. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” We light this week’s candle of Hope to brighten the way ahead and to know that All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. [Psalm 25:9]  Hope is on first and we begin with the end in mind.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Gracious and Upright Lord, lift up our souls, our hearts, and our minds from the lowest valley of earthly worries to the highest vault of heavenly grandeur. Teach us the prayers, the patience, and the trust to stay alert, unafraid, and ready for our salvation through Christ.

                                                    Lord of Love and Faithfulness    

RESPONSE:                 Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, bring gifts of truth, righteousness, and justice to those who govern across the breadth and depth of Your Creation, globally and locally, and let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, soothe and heal all who suffer with chronic illness and those who have lost all hope, and grant respite and renewal to their caregivers. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, comfort the bereaved with a foretaste of the glory of everlasting Salvation in which our loved ones live again and always. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

             

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, quicken the energy and spirit of those anointed to deepen our faith on our journey together with strength of heart and love for all.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

             

The Celebrant adds:  Most Holy Jesus, as we enter this season of preparation and waiting, fill us with Your forever words, and keep us open to Your Presence now and the promise of Your Coming. We ask through Jesus, Son of Man, and the Holy Spirit, Seat of Divine Wisdom, who together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com