Collects and Prayers - December 13, 2009 - The Third Sunday of Advent

Greeting
Leader: Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
People: For the Lord will come and dwell in our midst.
Leader: Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord,
People: and we shall be His people and dwell with Him.
Leader: His time is near; hasten to Him!
People: Come, Emmanuel, come.

Prayer for the Lighting of the Advent Candle
Loving God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of the Savior,
who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin.
May the joyful promise of your presence, O God,
make us rejoice in our hope of salvation.
Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light this candle.
May its light reflect the splendor of Christ,
who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of the People
As we watch and wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us pause, embrace the hush of silence, and ponder the depth of God's love through the incarnation of God's son.

We offer prayers to God who comes to our aid. After each petition, please respond with “Come, Emmanuel, come.”

We want to be prepared for your coming Lord, but we confess that we are not ready. Too often distractions and busy-ness in our lives cause us to miss you. Our days get bogged down in tasks, to-do lists, and projects that cause us to lose sight of your coming kingdom. Free us from this poverty of spirit.
We pray, “Come, Emmanuel, come.”

Gracious God, we give thanks for your calming presence and gentle guidance in this season of waiting. Bring our hearts to a place where love, peace and joy abound. Teach us to wait patiently for your kingdom to come and your will to be done.
We pray, “Come, Emmanuel, come.”

Loving Father, you have nurtured your Church as a place where all can come to know you, love you and serve you. We pray for church leaders - bishops and pastors - and for the laity and all who minister in Christ. We ask especially for God's blessing on Reverend Greg Jenks, with us this morning, and all the leaders of the ZOE ministry in Africa. May all who are affected by their work experience hope and healing.
We pray, “Come, Emmanuel, come.”

We pray for those who have difficulty waiting through this Advent season due to strife, relational conflicts, physical or emotional pain, or grief. Help them sense your gentle presence around them and find peace in you. Lift them out of valleys of despair and loneliness into pastures filled with hope and love.
We pray, “Come, Emmanuel, come.”

With hopeful expectancy, we pray for our Christmas Eve celebration, and for all who will gather to worship you. May all of your children, especially the unchurched and dechurched, hear the call to the manger and be found by you this Christmas.
We pray, “Come, Emmanuel, come.”

With a giving spirit and and open heart, we ask these things through your Son, the long-awaited Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.