Fourth Sunday of Advent Blessing Prayer
FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT 2020
In a world where churches lie empty, doors are shut, and people seem to live in Darkness and Fear, with stress filled, God, we call upon you to come. In a world where so many become sick and die, we call upon you, El Shaddai, God Almighty, to come. In this season of Advent, we wait for Your Presence to be felt in our lives again. We await the birth of Jesus, the Savior of All, who comes into our lives in a new way.
Today is the Fourth Week of Advent and we will light the Candle of PEACE. We remember the prophets who spoke of the coming of Christ, of how a Saviour would be born, a king in the line of King David. The prophet Isaiah called Christ "the Prince of Peace". They told us how he would rule the world wisely and bless all the nations. When Jesus came, he taught people the importance of being peacemakers. He said that those who make peace shall be called the children of God. When Christ comes to us, he brings us peace and he will bring everlasting peace when he comes again. We light the Candle of Peace to remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that through him peace is found. Peace is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at this candle, we celebrate the peace we find in Jesus Christ.
(A person lights the Fourth Candle)
Read Psalm 80 (Please use Bible)
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, Light of the World, the prophets said you would bring peace and save your people from trouble. Breath on us and to the world with your Breath of Peace to renew the Face of the earth from Sickness, Fear and Death. Give peace in our hearts this Advent. We ask that as we wait for you to come again, that you would remain present with us. Help us today, and everyday to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your peace with each other. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
All: Amen. Our Father ……., Hail Mary ……. In the name of the Father …….. Leader: May the Peace of the Lord be with all of us and our home.
All: Thanks be to God.
Third Sunday of Advent Blessing Prayer
Third Week of Advent 2020
In a world of despair, where depression rates run high, where there has been so much sadness and loss, God, we call upon you to come. In a world where joy is a distant memory, we call upon you, Great God of Joy, to come. In this season of Advent, we wait for the coming of Joy into our world. We await the birth of the Anointed One, the Promised Child, who comes into our lives in a new way. Come, Messiah, Come, and Save Us.
Today we light the Third Candle of Advent, the Candle of Joy. When the angel Gabriel told Mary that a special child would be born to her she was filled with joy. She sang a song that began with the words: "My soul magnifies the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” Just as the birth of Jesus gave great joy to his mother, so his presence in the world gave joy to those who had none before. He healed them and gave them hope and peace when they believed in him.
We light the Candle of Joy to remind us that when Jesus is born in us we have joy and that through him there will be everlasting joy on earth.
(A family member lights the pink (third) Candle).
Psalm 34 is read here (please use the bible)
Leader: Let us pray:
Thank you God for the joy you give us. With grateful hearts, we ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us. Help us today, and everyday to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your joy with each other. May the light of this holy season illuminate the path ahead so that we might live out our mission to fan the flame of Your love and light in the world. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. All: Amen. Our Father ……., Hail Mary ……. In the name of the Father …….. Leader: May the Peace of the Lord be with all of us and our home.
All: Thanks be to God.
Second Sunday of Advent Blessing Prayer
Today we light the Second Candle of Advent, the Candle of LOVE. In their old age God gave to Zechariah and Elizabeth a son called John. John spoke to the people bravely in the desert denying his own comforts and prepared to die for what he believed. John taught that we should share what we have with others, treat each other kindly and show Gods love. He did this because he cared for people and wanted them to repent and find God's forgiveness. We light the candle of Love to remind us that Jesus brings us God’s love and shows us how to love others. (Pause),
Love is like a candle shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of this candle, we celebrate the love we have in Christ.
(A person lights the Second Candle here.)
Psalm 85
Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
Let us pray:
Lord God, Your witness John the Baptist, grew up strong in spirit and prepared people for the coming of the Lord. He loved your people and baptized them in the River Jordan to wash away their sins. Help us to have the same love that we would be witnesses to him and spread the good news of your love. As Christmas draws closer day by day, help us to be ready to welcome him. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Our Father ………….
Hail Mary …………
In the name of the Father ………………. Amen.
May the Peace of the Lord be with all of us and our home.
Thanks be to God.