Prayers for Worship
Advent 3
by Ron Gordon

John 1:6-8; 19-28

Collect: 

Eternal God, by whose Word all things come into being, are held in
existence, and finally pass away: give us the grace to hear and heed your messengers, 
time in which to repent, and faith and hope in which to live in joy as your children 
who delight in your will, for you reign as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 
One God for ever and ever.  Amen.

Prayer:

Praise belongs to you, Lord God, from all creatures for you are the maker
of all things, you hold all things in being and you are constantly bringing 
new worlds to birth.
 
Praise belongs to you, Father, from all your people, for you have met us 
in the words of the Prophets, in the songs of the Psalmists and in the meditations 
of the Wise; finally you have met us on our own level in Jesus Christ your beloved Son, 
our brother who when we were lost and straying sought us out to bring us to yourself 
for forgiveness and healing at great cost and suffering to himself. Holy and Blessed God, 
we adore you.
 
We thank you for all men and women, who like John the Baptist place their integrity 
above reward and who speak your message in a wicked and perverse generation. 
For all who point beyond themselves to the one who is mightier than themselves, 
even the coming one, Jesus of Nazareth. May we have grace to respect them 
and the message they bear even though we may find their words uncomfortable 
and judgemental.
 
On our pride and arrogance which thinks it knows it all and refuses to listen 
to new possibilities open to us in the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
Lord, have mercy.
 
On our willingness to judge others, and our unwillingness to forgive them 
even as you have forgiveness us:
Christ, have mercy.
 
Forgive us closed eyes, ears and hearts which fail to recognize the direction 
in which we are heading: help us to be open to your Spirit, the words 
and challenge of Jesus, and to know your eternal love:
Lord, have mercy.
 
You Lord, are always offering us new opportunities, greater possibilities and ways 
in which we may live and grow as your children. Help us grasp and hold and share 
what you have given us in Jesus our Lord, and to your name, Glorious God, 
be all glory for ever and ever. Amen
 
one among you
by Jenn Gordon
 
there is one among you,
whom you do not know
 
all your longings will be met
but still,
you do not know him yet
all the years of tears and aching
hoping, sleeping,
dreaming, waking
have brought you to this place
but you don’t
recognise his face
 
one among you
speaks your name
walks the road
by which you came
knows the fear you try to hide
sees the light you lock inside
 
and his presence
will be known
when his love
is fully shown
 
© Jennie Gordon 2008

(Comments to Jenn at jennieg@labyrinth.net.au.)