Third Sunday in Advent a prayer


Mary’s Song Luke 1: 46-55


And Mary said:


“My soul glorifies the Lord

    and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,

    for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

 We make our prayers for ourselves and world in the light of Mary’s Song  

Let us pray


God our creator

we thank you 

that in fulfilling your promise to come

you touched the earth with Your Grace

and in Jesus

you touched humanity

with transforming love.


We pray

that you might touch

your world again

this Advent time

and transform our world

by turning all things upside down.


Instead of greed and destruction

may the tables of the poor

be filled with good things

and wealthy individuals bank accounts be emptied.


Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer


Instead of bombs and bullets

may costly seeds of forgiveness be sown

hostages set free

and the falsely imprisoned

returned to their homes.


Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer


Instead of leaders who seek their own power

may women and men be raised up

whose sole concern is the well being of all.


Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer


Instead of schools having to comply with checklists

may nurturing of pupils and staff

become the reality for all


Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer


God our creator

in Jesus

you have shown us how to live

how to love

how to touch the lives of all.


May we your church

be the living body of Christ

willing to touch the untouchable

willing to to turn our prayers

into action

and with you

turn the world upside down

that your kingdom might come

and your will be done.


Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer


And all God’s people said Amen.


(c) Mark Goodhand 17th December 2023

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