Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving for use in Advent communion. It was written by Lisa Frenz.
Communion Litany
In the beginning, O God, there was only you. We lived with you, walked with you, and your presence was like the light of a thousand suns blazing. Yet we turned away from that light and walked into the dark. We hid from the glory of your fire. Our eyes were blinded by your brightness. Even so, you did not turn from us. You gave us the promise of a new light, the hope of our reconciliation. You promised us your Son.
We await the fulfillment of your promise. We look into the dark, with eyes unused to your radiance, and see an ember burning. Renew our eyes. Send us your light, O God.
In the beginning, O God, there was only you. And you moved to save us from our blindness, to lead us from our dark wanderings, and to bring us back into the light of day. Little by little you have revealed your light. Little by little you have accustomed us to the coming fire. Through Sara and Abraham, through Jacob and Isaac, through Moses and David, through Mary and Joseph, you have slowly uncovered the ember of our hope still burning. You have revealed to us Christ Jesus.
We have walked with Sara. We have walked with Abraham and all your prophets. We have tried to open our eyes to the light. Help us to see again. Help us to endure the light of your coming. Send us your light, our hope and our salvation. Send us your Son. Send us Jesus.
In the beginning, O God, there was only you: Creator, Word and Breath. And from that beginning we see our birth. From that beginning we see our salvation. From that beginning we see our source of life.
Come loving Parent. Come Lord Jesus.
Come Holy Spirit. Come to us now.
For the promise of our salvation, the ember of life still burning, is Christ Jesus who comes as one of us, who comes to save us, who comes to lead us into the light.
In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took the bread, and gave thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
After supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying, "This cup is the new covenant which is in my blood. Do this in remembrance of me"
For as long as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again.
Through God and with God and in God is all glory and honor, all life and light, now and forever. Amen.
Let us pray the prayer Jesus has taught us,
Our Father…
— written by Lisa Frenz, in Word of God Come Be With Us: An Advent Order for Holy Communion, and posted on the Mount Carmel Lutheran Church website. If used in worship, include the following note: “Copyright Lisa Frenz. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission."
For more worship resources for the season of Advent, see this index of Advent Worship Resources, or 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.
