Sunday, November 27, 2011
Offered by Victoria G. Curtiss, Associate Pastor

O God, our Parent and our Potter, shape us as your people. With the turning of the year we begin our pilgrimage toward Christmas and the child who grew to be our Savior. We come like shepherds, expectant and yearning. We come like the magi, seeking direction to find your presence. We come because year after year we have heard the promise of angels and been reminded of the gift of love. Help us, in these days of Advent, to prepare ourselves, so that when the star shines over a stable and the angels sing the good news, we may be ready to receive it because our hearts are open and our spirits are receptive to your leading.

Glorious God, you made our world and us and all things to serve you. Now make our world ready for your rule. Surround with your healing presence and comfort those who are ill or recovering or in grief. Bring hope and opportunities to those who are unemployed or underemployed, who hunger for bread and for meaning. Gather up those who are lonely and discouraged, and strengthen their spirits. We pray for the nations of Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Afghanistan, and other countries permeated with chaos and unrest, that you bring soon a time when violence and crying shall end and all your children shall live in peace, honoring one another in freedom, justice, and love. Go before us, O God, drawing us into the future you have prepared for us. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together saying, Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church