Prayers for Third Sunday in Advent

 Our response as we make our prayers for ourselves and God’s world is

Come Lord

Come quickly


Let us pray


God, Creator Son and Holy Spirit

One in perfect community

who invites us into your community,

hear now our prayers.


We give you thanks

that you keep on opening our eyes

to possibilities

to stretching our imagination

to broadening our acceptance of others,


and to disturbing us, when we exclude others

through our words, actions and unspoken thoughts,


and we thank you

that in spite of moments 

when we fail you, 

You go on loving us 

because you don’t come to judge

rather to bring life and hope,

which messes it up for those 

who want you to judge

and be exclusive.

Come Lord

Come quickly


Jesus said 

John for all his importance 

was less than the least in the Kingdom.


Jesus you have hinted 

it’s never been about being important 

for the graciousness of God 

is seen in the love 

the creator has for the whole of creation.

Where the blind receive sight

the deaf hear, 

lepers are healed 

and the poor hear the good news.


So we pray for and give thanks

for the porters who take those unwell

to their operations,

and onto the wards.

For the auxiliary staff

keeping the wards clean

preventing infection.

For the administrators 

finding beds and 

enabling people to be discharged home.


May they find joy and hope

in what they do.

May they be valued 

for their vocations of care

and give to them the energy 

they need.


Open then our eyes God

to truly see what takes place

and so with gratitude we say

Come Lord

Come quickly


Creator God

you have always challenged 

those in authority

to exercise power in love

with justice.

And from their thrones they have fallen

when they abuse their position.


So we pray 

that your presence

will move within

the walls of the Kremlin

the Israelie Knesset 

the Whitehouse 

where individuals 

appear deaf to the needs 

of all people,

and have become

enamoured by power

and corruption has taken root.


Take away their power

and raise up

women and men

who’ll lead 

bringing peace 

which flows from justice.

Come Lord

Come quickly


As we draw ever closer

to what is the so called family time

we pray for those

struggling in relationships

where tensions lie just underneath the surface

that true understanding and compassion 

will unite.

We pray for those many families with children

living in poverty, 

with no permanent roof over their head.

As one of the wealthiest countries on earth

may true sharing of resources take place

may new homes be built

unemployed GP’s given work

and may the Hope the Christ child brings,

who once was a refugee,

truly transform our society.


Come Lord

Come quickly


We pray for those we know 

unwell in body mind and spirit

for their wholeness.

We pray for those grieving 

praying for Thomas and the family

that the worship on Tuesday 

will celebrates life

and bring comfort to all present.


So come Lord

Come quickly


Finally we acknowledge 

that for all our fine words

for change

we need to be changed ourselves 

so we recognise 

the paradox that we may not

be ready or really want the transformation

we might not want you to come

yet in faith we 

pray 

Come Lord

Come quickly

and all the people said. Amen


(c) Mark Goodhand 14th December 2025

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