First week of Advent

The season of Advent is a time for us to stand up, raise our heads and begin our preparations for welcoming Christ more deeply into our lives.

First Reading. Jer 33:14-16

“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made …”

Psalm 25 (24). 'To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.'

Second Reading. 1 Thess 3:12 4:2

… "abound in love for one another and for all…”

 Gospel. Luke 21:25-28, 34-36. The coming of the Son of Man:

“when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Prayers for Advent

God of hope, who brought love into this world,
be the love that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought peace into this world,
be the peace that dwells between us.
God of hope, who brought joy into this world,
be the joy that dwells between us.
God of hope, the rock we stand upon,
be the centre, the focus of our lives
always, and particularly this Advent time.

Creator and Redeemer
You did not plant the seed of this earth
Into the universe as if by chance
It was your hand that placed it here
Your plan to grow it here
You did not populate this earth
With a people made in your image
Purely by chance
It was your hand that placed us here
Your breath that keeps us here
You did not come as a tiny child
To walk this earth as if by chance
It was your Love that brought you here
Your Grace that saved us here
Our Creator and Redeemer.

Copyright © John Birch, 2016 

More Prayers during the season of Advent HERE

'the days are surely coming'

Prayer of the Faithful suggestions

We pray for:

The Church: that our awareness grows as we notice how God is fulfilling our deepest desires, increasing our recognition of the work of God in our lives.

E te Ariki,    Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.

Increased Attentiveness: that the Spirit will shift us from our complacency and give us the grace to focus on the signs of the times, so that we live more fully each day.

E te Ariki,    Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.

Peace: That the gift of God’s peace will enter our hearts so that earth’s resources are used creatively as tools for healing.

E te Ariki,    Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou. 

The Synod process in our parish communities:  that we take this graced opportunity of world-wide consultation to listen more deeply to others and enable love to grow for all.

E te Ariki,    Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou. 

' ... stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.'