Prayers: Advent Two
All-knowing, ever-just God,
help us to speak truth to power as wisely as serpents and as gently as doves.
Following the example of Your Son,
who lived out His prophetic calling to all people,
in all nations, for all time, in the outpouring of Self upon the cross,
may we participate in bringing the whole of creation to the knowledge of the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Grant a love of mercy to all leaders, justice for all peoples, humility and protection for those whose call is to challenge situations,
individual and corporate, local and global, where injustice and retribution abound.
May our words be seasoned with Your love, truth, and grace,
in the name of the Father,
in the power of the Spirit,
and in union with Christ. Amen.
Lighting of the Candles (Set I)
Eternal God,
as the days shorten
and the evenings draw swiftly in
we light a candle
to enlighten our minds
and stir our hearts
so that he of whom the prophets spoke
may find us watching and waiting to welcome him, the Light of the world,
for he is Lord forever and ever. Amen.
Lighting of the Candles (Set II)
Hurry, Lord Jesus,
and come to us quickly:
fill our hearts with praise
at your coming into the world.
May the message of the prophets
reach the ears of everyone on earth.
Amen. (or Amen. Come, Lord Jesus)
God in Heaven,
As John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus,
help our lives to point people towards your Son,
so that we can all be worthy
followers of our Saviour.
We ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God in Heaven,
you sent Jesus to save the world.
As Jesus’ people today,give us grace to be humble as Jesus was,
so that when Jesus comes again,we may be ready to greet him with great joy.
We ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Collect 3
Father in heaven,
who sent your Son to redeem the world
and will send him again to be our judge:
give us grace so to imitate him
in the humility and purity of his first coming
that, when he comes again,
we may be ready to greet him
with joyful love and firm faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.