First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020

First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020

At the beginning of this Advent season, we rouse ourselves from sleep and ask the Lord for new life as we call upon his name.   

1. That during these weeks of watching and waiting, the Church may offer joyful hope to a world that is suffering in the darkness.  We pray to the Lord.
2. That world leaders will act with wisdom and not be complacent or asleep in working to inspire all people to provide for the needs of those fleeing war, persecution, or poverty.   We pray to the Lord.
3. That we may see the face of the Lord in the poor, the suffering, and the needy, and turn to them with mercy and justice so that we may be saved.   We pray to the Lord.
4. That even as we struggle with the challenges in our lives, we may not be lacking in any spiritual gift knowing that the Father keeps us firm in faith and calls us to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We pray to the Lord.
5. That the thirteen new cardinals created this weekend will be a source of renewal for the Church in its mission to awaken the world to the truths of the Gospel.  We pray to the Lord. 
6. That each of us, as we do right by showing God’s love to those we encounter, will delight at the coming of the Lord into all the activities and events of our lives.  We pray to the Lord.
7. That people in Ethiopia, Yemen, Syria and violence-ravaged countries of the world may be delivered from famine, displacement, and depression and find the gracious support of those who are mindful of God’s ways.  We pray to the Lord.
8. That we may be alert and watchful. We pray to the Lord.
9. That those who are unemployed, disheartened, or who have lost loved ones during the isolation of this pandemic may know God’s faithfulness and be restored through fellowship with his Son.  We pray to the Lord.
10. That Fr. Christopher and those who have been ill-treated by Church authorities may not wander from the ways of the Lord but may find hope and consolation knowing that they are the work of his hands.  We pray to the Lord. 
11. That the Lord will rend the heavens and come down working awesome deeds we could not hope for in bringing relief and health to those who are seriously ill, undergoing surgery, or being subjected to difficult medical treatments.  We pray to the Lord.
12. That those who have died will be shown the love of the Lord and granted his salvation.  We pray to the Lord.

O God, you let us wander from your ways and harden our hearts. May we see in your answer to our prayers your constant faithfulness to us so that our faith may be renewed, firm to the end, and irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord.  Amen.