Streams of Mercy

A Prayer of Peace for the Second Sunday of Advent

O God of hope and peace, you sent your messenger to preach repentance. Give us grace to heed the warning, so that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ. Bring us to points of turning in our individual lives and in all of life. Heal what is broken, save what is lost, make what is old and tarnished fresh and new.

O God of Advent hope and peace, comfort us, challenge us and prepare the way.

Save us from trying to fix what you want to heal, and free us from what has been, to embrace what is yet to be. As you straighten the winding ways of our journey and smooth our pathways, keep us on the way to Bethlehem. Awaken our sense of wonder, open us to the mystery of your coming.

O God of Advent hope and peace, comfort us, challenge us and prepare the way.

In your mercy, hear our prayers for others. Where there is sorrow, bring healing and joy; where there is conflict, bring understanding and peace; where there is sickness, come as the gentle comforter and work in each situation for good. We pray for the hungry and the homeless, the lonely and poor, and the weak and powerless of all nations – that all may find food and shelter and dignity. Lead those in power and authority to dedicate themselves to work for peace and justice and dignity in all of creation.

O God of Advent hope and peace, comfort us, challenge us and prepare the way.

We pray for peace on earth – that you would hasten the day when the lion and the lamb will lie down together and none will hurt or destroy in all the earth. Do the needed work of grace in each of our lives, that we might welcome the Prince of Peace and dedicate our lives to the things that make for peace. We pray for those who so desperately need to hear the good news of great joy of which the angels sang – and to know that this good news is for all people.

O God of Advent hope and peace, comfort us, challenge us, and prepare the way.

We pray for your church, that we may be in truth the Body of Christ. Give us vision and purpose, and keep us faithful. Help us to move beyond the convenient boundaries of our individual lives to touch the lives of those around us. Help us to listen in love, to work for peace and justice, and to be sources of encouragement to one another, because of your wondrous love.

O God of Advent hope and peace, comfort us, challenge us, and prepare the way.

We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

May we receive the gifts of hope and peace on this year’s Advent Journey.

Elizabeth