{"id":5728,"date":"2018-12-03T21:40:29","date_gmt":"2018-12-03T20:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=5728"},"modified":"2019-10-15T10:11:17","modified_gmt":"2019-10-15T08:11:17","slug":"3-prayers-for-advent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/12\/03\/3-prayers-for-advent\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Prayers for Advent"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\n <\/p>\n

To kick off this month’s theme, Prepare<\/strong>, here are 3 short prayers to ready our hearts for Christmas and for Jesus’ Kingdom to come, now and in the future.<\/div>\n

 
\n(Links to additional resources for Advent included below.)
\n <\/p>\n\n

Prayer of Invocation<\/h3>\n

(inspired by Matthew 11:3-5)<\/em><\/p>\n

O God,
\nwe come today
\nechoing John the Baptist’s question to your Beloved Child:
\n“Are you the one who is to come?”
\nGive us eyes to see and ears to hear the answer for ourselves:
\nIn the work of justice: Christ!
\nIn the practice of mercy: Christ!
\nIn good news for the poor: Christ!
\nIn the vision of peace: Christ!
\nMake us ready, with open hearts and joyful spirits,
\nto follow in Christ’s Way.
\nAmen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

by The Rev. Susan A. Blain<\/strong>, and posted on the United Church of Christ\u2019s Worship Ways website<\/a>.
\n <\/p>\n\n

Prayer of Confession<\/h3>\n

It is never easy for us to confess our sins, Waiting God.
\nThere are the hurts we have caused to our families and friends,
\n     which we would like to forget.
\nThere are those we believe are impossible to love,
\n     and so we don’t try.
\nThere are people who live on the edge of our society,
\n     and we ignore their cries for help.<\/p>\n

Forgive us, God who comes near to us.
\nWhen we have lost our way, show us yours.
\nLead us in humility down the streets of your kingdom.
\nTeach us your truth,
\n     so we might be able to keep your Word,
\n     revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

by Thom Shuman<\/strong>. Source: re-worship.blogspot.com<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n\n

Prayers of the People for All Ages<\/h3>\n

We have listened to God\u2019s Word.
\nNow let us come to God full of hope for all our needs:<\/p>\n

For a real sense of excited anticipation of the coming of Jesus
\nlet us pray to the Lord:
\nLord hear our prayer<\/span><\/p>\n

For peace in our homes, our schools and our communities
\nas we approach the Christmas season
\nlet us pray to the Lord:
\nLord hear our prayer<\/span><\/p>\n

For peace and harmony in countries torn apart by war around the world, that weapons be remade into garden tools
\nlet us pray to the Lord:
\nLord hear our prayer<\/span><\/p>\n

That we always learn to be alert and aware of God\u2019s presence in our daily lives
\nlet us pray to the Lord:
\nLord hear our prayer<\/span><\/p>\n

God of light,
\nwe bring these prayers to you through Jesus Christ our Lord
\nAmen.<\/span> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~ from Children\u2019s Liturgy of the Word, First Sunday of Advent Year A<\/em>. Posted on re:worship.blogspot.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES<\/strong><\/p>\n

These days there is so much material available online to accompany us on our journey through the season of Advent. <\/p>\n

Here are a few examples:
\nChurch of Scotland<\/strong> Advent Calendar<\/a>
\nPray as you go<\/strong> Advent retreat<\/a>
\nAbbey of the Arts<\/strong> online Advent retreat<\/a><\/p>\n

I also commend our 2017 Advent series on Faith<\/a>, Hope<\/a> and Joy<\/a>, featuring meditations by three ministers in our Presbytery<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  To kick off this month’s theme, Prepare, here are 3 short prayers to ready our hearts for Christmas and for Jesus’ Kingdom to come, now and in the future.   (Links to additional resources for Advent included below.)   Prayer of Invocation (inspired by Matthew 11:3-5) O God, we come today echoing John the … Continue reading “3 Prayers for Advent”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,24],"tags":[105,146,145],"class_list":["post-5728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-prayer","category-tip","tag-3-prayers","tag-advent-2018","tag-prepare"],"yoast_head":"\n3 Prayers for Advent - 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Scots International Church Rotterdam - organised a series of evening services during the season of Advent this year to further explore our theme of \"Light in the Darkness\" through music, prayer and candle light. On 11 December I incorporated a special focus on a liturgical\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/I-am-coming-soon.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/I-am-coming-soon.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/I-am-coming-soon.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13674,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2022\/12\/28\/king-of-saints\/","url_meta":{"origin":5728,"position":1},"title":"King of saints","author":"Irene Bom","date":"December 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Light in the darkness\" Advent 2022 banner, Scots International Church Rotterdam, designed and made by members of the congregation \u00a0 Great and marvelous are your deeds, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and bring glory to your\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/light_in_the_darkness_banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/light_in_the_darkness_banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/light_in_the_darkness_banner.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/light_in_the_darkness_banner.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3611,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/22\/2017-advent-joy-6\/","url_meta":{"origin":5728,"position":2},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #6","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 22, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Treacle - Lindy and Laurence's dog - source of much joy and exercise (Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS Philippians 4:4-7 \u00a0(The Voice) 4 Most of all, friends, always rejoice in the Lord! I never tire of saying it: Rejoice! 5 Keep your gentle nature so that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3465,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/16\/2017-advent-hope-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":5728,"position":3},"title":"2017: Advent Hope #7","author":"Kim Hurst","date":"December 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 OUR HOPE Luke 2:28\u201332 \u00a0(NRSVA) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 according to your word; 30\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 which you have prepared in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3727,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/29\/3-prayers-for-endings-and-beginnings\/","url_meta":{"origin":5728,"position":4},"title":"3 Prayers for endings and beginnings","author":"Irene Bom","date":"December 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Where do you go from here? (photo: Irene Bom) \u00a0 Here are 3 prayers for happier endings and good beginnings as we approach the end of one year and the start of another. Go with God. And if you're looking for guidance on what to focus on in your walk\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/hoe_gaat_u_verder.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/hoe_gaat_u_verder.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/hoe_gaat_u_verder.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/hoe_gaat_u_verder.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12999,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2022\/05\/22\/3-prayers-for-a-clean-heart\/","url_meta":{"origin":5728,"position":5},"title":"3 Prayers for a clean heart","author":"Irene Bom","date":"May 22, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Psalm 51 is a classic prayer of confession. Here are 3 prayers inspired by Psalm 51:10: \"create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me\". I've also included a link to Keith Green's song, Create in me a clean heart, also a classic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/noorderbrug_at_blue_hour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/noorderbrug_at_blue_hour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/noorderbrug_at_blue_hour.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/noorderbrug_at_blue_hour.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Irene Bom","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/irenebom-com\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/tip\/\" rel=\"category tag\">tip<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"  To kick off this month’s theme, Prepare, here are 3 short prayers to ready our hearts for Christmas and for Jesus’ Kingdom to come, now and in the future.   (Links to additional resources for Advent included below.)   Prayer of Invocation (inspired by Matthew 11:3-5) O God, we come today echoing John the…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5728","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5728"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5728\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}