Prayers for Sunday, December 14, 2008

Third Sunday of Advent – Year B

Call to Worship

Leader: Our souls magnify the Lord;

People: our spirits rejoice in God our Savior.

Leader: All generations will call us, the baptized, blessed,

People: for the Mighty One has done great things for us, and holy is his name.

Leader: We worship in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, full of expectation,

People: crying out in the wilderness, announcing the Advent of the Word made flesh.

Prayer of Invocation

Spirit of the Lord God, descend upon us, anoint us, that we may bring good news to the oppressed. In the name of the Coming Emmanuel we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Lord of justice and liberation, you have shown us mercy through the Light, the Word, the Christ.. Christ comes to us in the future, past, and present, yet we continue in dark sin. We grow bloated with pride. We try to cling to our thrones. We buy and buy, eat and eat, while most of the world begs and starves. We are stingy with rejoicing and thanksgiving. We ignore the voices crying out for us to prepare for you.

For the sake of Jesus Christ, the Coming One, forgive us our sins and teach us to make straight the way of the Lord. Amen.

Words of Assurance

God shows us mercy, lifts us, fills us with forgiveness. Through the Lamb, God clothes us with the garments of salvation, covers us with the robes of righteousness. The one who calls us to new life is faithful. We wait for Christ with joy, striving, by God’s power, to be sound and blameless. Let it happen.

Prayer of Inspiration

Spirit, we will not quench you. Through the proclamation, enable us to see and hear the Word, who is with God and is God. Come.

Prayers of the People

Advent-Adonai, throughout the millennia you have come to us to lift us, magnify us, and feed us, as well as humble us and challenge us. We give great gratitude for the Church, past, future, and present. We elevate special thanks for John of the Cross. Strengthen us to pray without ceasing in all that we say, do and think. Lord who does great things for us, (congregational response: we rejoice over your mercy.).

Your prophets Mary and John helped to bring Christ to the world. Teach us to emulate them, so that we, too, by the Spirit’s power, can be God-bearers and crying-out voices. Lord who does great things for us, . . .

Over and over you restore our fortunes, like the watercourses in the Negeb. We exalt you for the United States and for humanity’s rich diversity. Give us the courage and tenacity to help the hungry, poor, and oppressed, so that they may come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. Lord who does great things for us, . . .

Lord of Light, it is tempting for us to allow the colors and noise of the season to distract us from the true light, the Word, the Christ. Clear our heads and hearts. Sanctify us entirely. Lord who does great things for us, . . .

God, you have a preferential option for the poor. Teach us to have the same. Lord who does great things for us, . . .

Over and over you have lifted us and given us healing. Bless all in need of healing, especially those we mention now in our hearts or aloud [Add names.]. Lord who does great things for us, . . .

You may add other praises or petitions here.

We magnify you with these prayers, confident that you will hear them with healing. In the name of the one greater than John we pray. Amen.

Offertory Prayer

Jesus, even though we are not worthy to untie the thong of your sandal, we offer you these gifts to the glory of God and the healing of the nations.

Benediction

Leader: Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has filled us, the baptized, with Good News,

People: we go as bearers of Christ for a barren world.

David von Schlichten, poedifier