Prayers of the People: Come, Advent God

Here’s a prayer of intercession written by David Beswick, and posted on David Beswick’s Home Page.

Come, Advent God

Come, Advent God,
and complete the special work of love
which you began in Jesus of Nazareth.
Many are cast down with spiritual needs,
thirsting for the peace of your forgiveness
and the warmth of your healing love.
Come to them with the grace they desperately need.
At evening or midnight, morning or midday,
Come, Lord Jesus.

Many are in despair through physical hardship,
seeking relief from their burdens
and hope in the midst of their cares.
Come to them with the help they desperately need.
At evening or midnight, morning or midday,
Come, Lord Jesus.

Many have minds and souls filled with hatred,
lives shackled by prejudice and terrible obsession
in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, Africa,
South America, Asia, and in our own Australia.
[And this year we recall also the people of East Timor]
Come to them with the conversion they so desperately need.
At evening or midnight, morning or midday,
Come, Lord Jesus.

Your church in all the world also needs saving
from everything that threatens its mission.
Where it is persecuted, keep it faithful.
Where it persecutes, rebuke it.
Where it is seduced by affluence, shake it to its foundations.
Where it is self-satisfied, thoroughly unsettle it.
Where it is weak, poor, and meek, bless it with your joy, peace and strength.
At evening or midnight, morning or midday,
Come, Lord Jesus.

Come, Advent God,
and complete your work in Jesus Christ,
through whom we offer these prayers.

— Bruce Prewer, posted on David Beswick’s Home Page

For more worship resources for the season of Advent, see this index of Advent Worship Resourcesor click on Advent 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index.