Third Saturday of Advent, Saturday, December 18, 2021
Today, we invite you to ‘Reread, Rest and Reflect’ on the prayers of the past week while listening to the Song of the Week:
Lectionary Readings for Today:
Psalm 80:1-7
Isaiah 66:7-11
Luke 13:31-35
We gather at your Beautiful Gate rejoicing in your blessings. You created us to be in relationship with you and in community with each other. You have given us all we need, including the space to gather together, be nourished by you, and be encouraged by Life-giving Spirit in our midst. We bring our prayers to you; lifting our voices, we bring prayers of thanksgiving and all our griefs and sorrows.
You fill us to overflowing. You give us all we need to follow you today, and there is still so much left over. We experience your miracles, and you call us to keep giving, promising that your blessings will never cease. We rejoice together on this path as we continue to participate in your mystery.
We seek you today in your sacred prayer space. We are tired; we are weary. We silence ourselves to the sound of your voice. Words have been harshly placed lately. We have said them. We have received them. Now we just seek your love and compassion. O LORD, where can we go to hide from your love? Touch us now. Speak and we will listen.
Thank you, Wind of the Spirit, for your life-giving breath that reveals the mysterious ways of the Divine Family. Thank you for sharing God’s secret wisdom that gives life. We relish and cherish the intimacy and the divine revelation.
We are grateful, healing, supportive God, that you hear the cries of our heart and are with us. You send people to come alongside us to sing songs of lament to help us express our grief so you can turn our mourning into joy. Thank you that in our deepest, darkest sorrow, you provide community to surround us in love. Thank you that the joy of the Lord makes us strong.
Be in our mouths, LORD, and give us the words to speak so others will hear us and understand. Dwell among us, and strengthen and nourish us with your holy manna. May our words and actions be pleasing to you as we share your stories with others.