Prayers of the People: Christmas Eve

Here’s a prayer litany for Christmas Eve from Margaret McGee.

Prayer Litany for Christmas Eve

In joy and thanksgiving at Christ's birth,                       
Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.              

We pray for all faithful people,

For all welcome messengers of good news,

Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.              

For the nations and their rulers,

For the corporations and their executives,

For anyone with power over the lives of others,

Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.              

For those who defend the helpless,

For those who strive for justice,

For those who work to find a way to peace,
For all the world, and all who live in it,

Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.              

For anyone suffering, sick, alone, afraid, or in any kind of trouble.

We pray especially for … [name those you want to remember today].

Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.              

For our own community, for friends, neighbors, and family, near and far.

We pray especially for … [name those you want to remember today].

Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.              

For those who have died.

We pray especially for … [name those you want to remember today] .

Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.              

We offer thanksgiving for Mary's firstborn Son—

good news of great joy.

Let us sing to the Lord a new song,
On earth peace, good will among people.              

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.

Before the eyes of all the nations you sent your Son,

the exact imprint of love itself, to be our salvation.

With the shepherds in the fields,

let us go now to Bethlehem,

there to find Christ in our hearts, and in the world. Amen.

~ written by Margaret D. McGee for the Christmas Eve service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington.  Posted on In the Courtyard. www.inthecourtyard.com