Sunday, December 20, 2009
Offered by Alice M. Trowbridge, Associate Pastor

Gracious and loving God, you revealed your love for the world in the vulnerability of a child, that babe of Bethlehem, and we come in awe of this gift of love. Though the world was full of brokenness and strife, love came down at Christmas. And that love spoke of hope and promise and peace, revealing the wisdom of the ages, the truth that is beyond truth, pointing to him, Christ the Lord, our bright morning star.

We give thanks, O God, for all the faithful throughout the generations who, in days of discouragement, when the night was long, have watched for the morning, trusted your promises, and remained stewards of your sacred charge to seek your kingdom of truth and justice.

We come in this same spirit of anticipation and hope. Teach us, dear God, what to hope for. Sharpen our perception and make us quick to remember that you accompany us in all our journeys. Keep us from putting off until another time the discipline that will make us better disciples. Make us willing to break the comfortable routine and dare to start ventures that will stretch us as your serving people.

We remember that there was no room in the inn, and our hearts are full of compassion for people across the world who have had to bear rejection; for all who toil along the climbing way with slow and sometimes painful steps; for those who are hungry, homeless, unloved, or fearful. May your loving arms embrace each one. We pray for leaders of nations and for lawmakers of this nation to be guided by your wisdom in the important days ahead. We pray for all who serve in war, all who await the return of loved ones, all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. We pray for those who are in the midst of unexpected, unwanted, or frightening change, those who have been displaced, those in a tenuous job situation, those who have lost loved ones. Comfort your people, O Lord, and remind us all that you are near; bless us with a new understanding of the profound mystery of this birth, that you are with us, Emmanuel.

O God, whose shining coming into the world was heralded by the heavenly hosts, give us a place among the shepherds, that we may find the one for whom we have waited, the one whose birth has changed the world. May how generously we love be the one true measure of our faith, and our prayer thanksgiving to you. We pray through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, the coming one, who taught us to pray together saying, Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church