‘The dawn from on high shall break upon us. To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace’ (Benedictus) … a winter sunrise at the Rectory in Askeaton, Co Limerick (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2021)
Let us pray:
‘In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace’ (Luke 3: 14):
Heavenly Father,
As we wait in Advent for the coming of the Kingdom,
guide the feet of the leaders of the nations into the way of peace,
may those in power and in government
hear the cry of all in who ‘sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,’
especially refugees, asylum seekers, migrants,
prisoners of conscience, the victims of people trafficking,
that they may be met with mercy and justice,
and know love and peace.
Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy.
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’ (Luke 3: 4):
Lord Jesus Christ,
as we wait in Advent for your coming,
we pray for the Church,
that we may eagerly prepare the way for your coming among us …
In the Church of Ireland this month,
we pray for the Diocese of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe,
the Archbishop’s Commissaries,
Archdeacon Stephen McWhirter and Dean Niall Sloane,
and for the Episcopal Electoral College called to fill the vacant see.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer,
we pray for the Anglican Church of Burundi,
and Archbishop Sixbert Macumi.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer,
we pray for the victims of abuse and all engaged in Safeguarding.
The Mothers Union continues to mark 16 Days of Activism
against gender-based violence:
forgive us our ignorance, forgive us our blindness,
forgive us our lack of awareness.
In our community,
we pray for our schools,
we pray for our parishes and people …
we pray for our neighbouring churches and parishes,
and people of faith everywhere,
that we may be blessed in our variety and diversity.
And we pray for ourselves …
Christ have mercy,
Christ have mercy.
‘Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on for ever the beauty of the glory from God’ (Baruch 5: 1):
Holy Spirit, we pray for one another …
We remember those who are remembered and mourned by parishioners,
May their memories be a blessing to us.
We pray for all who are sick or isolated,
at home, in hospital …
Ruby … Daphne … Sylvia … Ajay …
Cecil … Pat … Mary … Ann … Vanessa …
We pray for those who feel pain and loss …
for those who are bewildered and without answers …
for those we love and those who love us …
for our families, friends and neighbours …
We pray for all who feel rejected and discouraged …
we pray for all in need and who seek healing …
and we pray for those we promised to pray for …
and we pray for one another and for ourselves …
May your generosity and love to us be reflected in our love and generosity to others.
Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy.
A prayer today in the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel):
Righteous God,
may we overflow with love,
and know what is good.
Lead us down the straight path,
that we may find salvation.
Merciful Father …
‘Make way, make way for Christ the King’ (Hymn 134) … a straight pathway lined with trees in Kilmore, near Nenagh, Co Tipperary (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)
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