“Lord, you are our Father; we the clay, you the potter, we are all the work of your hand.” On this first Sunday in Advent and conscious of your love for each one of us, we place ourselves and our prayers entirely in your hands.
Let us pray for all religious leaders. May they lead by their personal good example and be shining lights of hope in our troubled world.
Let us pray for all those concerned in the creation, testing and distribution of the promised vaccines against Covid-19. May their efforts bring an end to the pandemic.
Let us pray for everyone who, during the lockdown, has faced job insecurity and who may be struggling to cope at this present time. May they find peace of mind and practical solutions to their difficulties.
Let us pray for all those who are struggling with mental health issues as a result of the coronavirus restrictions. May they discover the support and recovery that they need in order to live a full and happy life.
Let us pray for the many refugees and asylum seekers who are willing to risk their lives in the search for security and freedom. May they meet with compassion and understanding in their time of crisis.
Let us pray for ourselves and all those whom we know and love as we start our Advent journey towards Christmas. May we follow the Star of Bethlehem and allow Jesus to be born in our hearts.
Loving Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, help us to stay awake to your care for us and for our world. Help us to make this Advent a truly love-filled experience for many people as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. Amen.