Heavenly Father, as we come before you today, we ask you to prepare us for the Advent-coming of your son Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, you promised to hear us when we pray in faith and we bring before you today, the needs of the Church and the world.

Lord, prepare us for your coming – in the church

We pray for your church today, gathering all around the world in tiny churches and great cathedrals to praise you and to hear your Holy Word. Give us a sense of expectation as we come  –  and inspiration as we go. Help us to put our differences behind us and to unite, instead, behind the great commission of Jesus to make disciples of all nations and all people. Bless those who preach and teach the message of your salvation and we pray especially for our own Rev Gaenor and Judith, our LLM, as they seek to do your will and guide us here in St Gregory’s through our spiritual and worldly journeys.

Lord, in Your mercy – Hear our prayer

Lord, prepare us for your coming – in the world.

Drive away despair from our politics, revive our dreams of justice and truth, restore our passion for what is good and right. Establish your just and gentle rule in Russia, The Ukraine, The Middle East and other areas of the world where there is conflict and where peace has been powerless and violent people have had their day. We ask you to govern the hearts and minds of those who lead our nations and for those in authority that they may act justly, with honesty and integrity according to your will.

Lord, in Your mercy – Hear our prayer

Lord, prepare us for your coming – in our own community

In our daily life, help us never to forget the supremacy of love. May love motivate our care for our neighbourhoods in Marnhull; may love heal the social ills, which sometimes drag us into despair. May love inspire our citizenship to rise beyond mediocrity. and may we always remember that we are members one of another and that we can never live to ourselves alone.

Lord, in Your mercy – Hear our prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for others for whom this day will seem long and hard, for those in hospital or ill at home, those struggling with despair or depression, those waiting for a job or important news, and for those for whom this day will be their last, comfort and heal all who suffer, give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.  We pray for all those organisations who serve our country – our NHS, our Police and Justice Service, our Social Services and Care Workers.  We pray for The Children’s Society and their helpers.  We ask your blessing on King Charles and Queen Camilla and all the Royal Family.

Lord, in Paul’s letter to The Corinthians, Your Word tells us –
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Lord, in Your mercy – Hear our prayer

As we leave this place Today, Advent Lord, come even nearer; come to rejuvenate our faith, come to fortify our social conscience, come to widen our eyes of wonder, so that when the Saviour comes, he may steal into our hearts and find them ready.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen