Weekly Prayers of the Faithful

Second Sunday of Advent, December 10, 2023

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Second Sunday of Advent, December 10, 2023

Having heard John the Baptist proclaim the mighty one to come after him and having been baptized with the Holy Spirit, we offer our prayers to the Father.   

  1. That through Advent, we will know Christ drawing near to us in our broken, lonely, and suffering world, calling us not to flee from its hurts and imperfections but to enter more deeply into it as we work for justice and peace after his example.  We pray to the Lord.
  2. That those who wage war and engage in persecutions will understand that destruction of others’ homes, cultures, and families will not lead to joy, lasting peace, or the improvement of anyone’s life.  We pray to the Lord.
  3. That in Advent, we will celebrate the coming and, importantly, the presence of Christ in our world even in the midst of all its inscrutable problems and tragedies.[1] We pray to the Lord.
  4. That we will live with joyful hope finding Christ in our world as it is and not as it might be confident that all will be done according to his will.  We pray to the Lord.
  5. That we will conduct ourselves with holiness and devotion, waiting or and hastening the coming of the day of God as we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwell.  We pray to the Lord.
  6. That will embrace humility knowing that despite any of our accomplishments, the one who is mightier has given us the grace that inspires all our achievements.  We pray to the Lord. 
  7. That those refugees fleeing their homes through high mountains, rugged land, rough country, and the wastelands created by the weapons of war will encounter hills made low and broad valleys where the glory of the Lord is revealed to them.  We pray to the Lord.
  8. That John the Baptist’s strange dress in camel’s hair and unusual food of locusts and wild honey will encourage us to look past appearances and habits to see the image of God in all people.  We pray to the Lord.
  9. That the beauty of the Christmas lights that brighten this season will remind us that each one of us is called to be a light to the world in all the seasons of life.  We pray to the Lord. 
  10. That those who suffer from depression in this season will find hope and joy through the expectation proclaimed in Advent of the Lord with us who makes pathways straight.  We pray to the Lord.
  11. That those who have died will be gathered like lambs into the arms of the Lord and led with care into the eternal life of heaven.  We pray to the Lord.

God our Father, we offer these petitions with gratitude that in sending your Son into the world, you promise to be with us and answer all our needs.  We make these prayers through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

[1] Petitions 1, 3, and 4 are based on the essay “What is the meaning of Advent in our broken world?” by Fr. Daniel P. Horan that reflects on some of the insights of Thomas Merton.

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