Here’s a pastoral prayer based on the texts for the first Sunday of Advent, Year B. It was written by Scott Haldeman.
Pastoral Prayer for Advent
(based on Psalm 80, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37)
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, we pray, in the words of the prophet. We await you eagerly. We yearn for the culmination of your promised grace. And, as we wait, we struggle on. We proclaim and hear your Word; enliven your Word in our hearts that they might burn. We gather around your table to share bread; sanctify us in the meal, and multiply the loaf to feed a hungry world. We speak truth to power; overturn injustice. We shelter the homeless and provide clothes for the naked; help us to persevere. Enlighten us to cure the causes of poverty and not only its symptoms. Chasten us when we are self-righteous. Reveal how our comfort depends on the misery of others. Work in us so that you might find us blameless on that great day when you return. We are your elect, recipients of your grace; strengthen us as we work, and as we wait, so that we can stay awake and receive you. Amen.
