Bless all who proclaim your love and glory through the arts, music, broadcasting and publishing, all who prepare hearts and minds for your coming.
Blessed Lord, hear us
and set your people free.
Lord of freedom and grace, we pray for all held prisoner by tyranny and oppression, all whose eyes are blind to your glory and deaf to your word.
We remember all who do not know or love you, all whose lives are darkened by fear.
Blessed Lord, hear us
and set your people free.
We give thanks for all who taught us the faith and led us to you, for all who have given us a glimpse of your glory.
We pray for teachers and Sunday school teachers, for families, friends and all who are dear to us.
We remember any who are having special difficulties or troubles at this time.
Blessed Lord, hear us
and set your people free.
Lord of love, we pray for all who are consumed with hatred,
all who do not know how to accept or receive forgiveness,
all who are not at peace with themselves or the world.
We remember all who are anxious and fearful at this time.
We pray for all who are weakened by illness or incapacity, especially .....................
Blessed Lord, hear us
and set your people free.
Lord of glory, you destroy the darkness of the shadow of death and open the kingdom of heaven to your loved ones.
We pray for the departed, that in your love they may rejoice in peace.
Blessed Lord, hear us
and set your people free.
THE PEACE
Know in your life the love of God, the forgiveness of sins and the joy of salvation.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
THE BLESSING
The love and light of God scatter the darkness from before you and guide your feet into the way of peace; and the blessing ...
The Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3. 14–20: Isaiah 12. 2–6 (or Ps. 146. 5–10): Philippians 4. 4–7: Luke 3. 7–18
Good and gracious God, grant us a glimpse of your glory, that we may rejoice in your presence and abide in your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Loving Lord, help us to know that we dwell in you and you are in us.
It is you, Lord, that seek out the straying and the lost:
you desire to deliver all who are in trouble,
you set out to rescue all who are oppressed,
you come to us now and seek to bring us home.
We rejoice in your presence and your almighty power.
May your church share in your healing and saving power.
We pray for the church working in areas of violence and rejection,
for all Christians who are persecuted for their faith.
Lord, you are our deliverer.
You are our refuge and our strength.
We pray for areas of our world where people are devalued and discarded:
for all who are outcasts and all who suffer from ethnic violence and prejudice.
We pray that the rich and those in authority may bring relief and hope to the poor.
We pray for all who are involved in tax-collecting and in the use of our taxes,
for all who are in the armed forces, and for all who maintain peace and order.
Lord, you are our deliverer.
You are our refuge and our strength.
Lord, we rejoice that you are with us in our homes.
Make us sensitive in our dealings with each other,
attentive to the needs and desires of our loved ones.
We pray for all homes where there is fear and abuse.
Lord, you are our deliverer.
You are our refuge and our strength.
Mighty God, you are our strength.
We pray for all who are frail and fearful, all who are weary and weak, all who are in pain or suffering hurt, especially .....................
We remember all who are captives to evil and vice.
Lord, you are our deliverer.
You are our refuge and our strength.
We rejoice with all who have left the troubles of this world and now experience the glorious liberty of the children of God.
We pray for loved ones departed, especially .....................
Lord, you are our deliverer.
You are our refuge and our strength.
THE PEACE
Let God’s presence and peace in Christ Jesus keep a watch over your heart and mind and free you from being anxious.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
THE BLESSING
Rejoice in the presence and power of God.
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.
Know that the Lord is at hand.
And the blessing ...
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah 5. 2–5a: Magnificat or Ps. 80. 1–7: Hebrews 10. 5–10: Luke 1. 39–45 [46–55]
Lord our Saviour, our hope is in you:
no one is beyond your love,
no one is beyond your saving power.
Give us grace to recognize you and welcome you
as you come to us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Lord, open our eyes that we may behold your glory,
open