Prayers for Advent 2

Prayers by Mrs Morag Stewart

Heavenly Father, as once again we prepare for Christmas, help us to find time in our busy lives for quiet thought and prayer, that we may reflect upon the wonder of your love and allow the story of the Saviour’s birth to penetrate our hearts and minds. So may our joy be deeper, our worship more real, and our lives worthier of all that you have done for us through the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Grant that all who come into our church this Christmas time may be enabled to renew their relationship with you. Help us all to be glad of your presence, and to rejoice at the coming of Jesus. On this Sunday we offer you our thanks for all the gifts you have so freely showered upon us. We thank you especially for health of mind and body, for home and family and friends, for books, art and music and for the beauty of the world around us. Help us to use your gifts wisely, faithfully and generously, that we may show our gratitude in our deeds and not in words only, and glorify you in our lives as well as with our lips. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer

We pray for Peace We pray for peace; give peace to the world; give peace to the victims of war, the refugees, the widowed and the orphans. Give peace to family and friends; to those who have quarrelled and need to be reconciled. Give peace in our own divided hearts. Your Son came as the Prince of Peace and brought a message of Peace for all people. Help us to be Peacemakers in our own homes, at our work or wherever we meet people, so that the peace and goodwill of Christmas can find a place in the hearts of all people. Lord in Your Mercy Hear our prayer

We pray for people in need: We pray for the homeless and the disadvantaged. Let your blessing be with the Kings Arms Project in the work they do to help the homeless and disadvantaged people in Bedford and give to all of us the determination to help where we can. We pray for those who are lonely – lonely because they have lost a partner, lonely because no-one seems to care, those who are lonely because of handicap or illness. Let your presence be with those who are alone at this season of friendship and may we take your friendship to those whom we know will be alone this Christmas. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer

We pray for those who are ill We pray for friends and family who are ill at this time, and remember them in the quietness of our hearts. We bring them to you in the confidence that you love them and know their every need and that your healing power is still the same today. Bless all that is being done for their recovery and answer our prayers as you see best.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember friends and family who have died and light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope. We remember today Help us to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within us, and the fellowship of the church family around us until we are reunited once more in your heavenly kingdom You turn our darkness into light in your light shall we see light Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us. Lords Prayer

Merciful Father accept these prayers for the sake of your son our Saviour Jesus Christ
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