December 30, 2018 – First Day of Christmas
The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber
click here to download a copy of the prayers
We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.
Anglican Bishops:
- Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
- Bishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
- Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
- Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Kootenay
- Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People
Roman Catholic Bishops:
- Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
- Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
- Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
- Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
- Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon
Prayers for December 30, 2018 – First Day of Christmas
With the words “Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,” you are invited to respond: Hear us, we pray.
As we look to the little child who will lead us, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and all our brothers and sisters seeking faith and meaning in life.
A moment of silence
God of wisdom, you act through the wonder and insight of children. Bless the youngsters in our lives and let us listen and learn from their innocent and profound understanding of their world.
“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,” Hear us, we pray.
God of creation, you manifest vast imagination in our world. Continue to bless the salmon and cedars, seals barking and whales breaching, rejuvenating rains and the promise of summer sun. We praise you for the cycle of the seasons.
“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,” Hear us, we pray.
God of hope, you mark us as a people with reason to look ever towards healing. Let us always remember that you have called us by name, consider us beloved, and see us as enough. May we live in a way that personifies divine acceptance to our families, friends, neighbours, and all those we encounter.
“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,” Hear us, we pray.
God of delight, fill us with songs of praise and feelings of joy. Make us laugh often and long at the humour and irony that colours our days. Strengthen our sense of abundance and compassion that our lives be wealthy beyond compare.
“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,” Hear us, we pray.
God of health and healing, minister to the hearts of those who suffer this day. Make those who suffer aware of their value and power, whether they deal with addiction, loneliness, hunger, unemployment, mental illness, or other sickness.
We pray especially for those we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts.
(include those listed in the bulletin for prayers)
“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,” Hear us, we pray.
God of holy alliances, enrich our partnership with the Anglican Church of Canada and Bishop (name bishop in your region), the Roman Catholic churches and Bishop (name bishop in your area) and our own Bishop Greg. We offer prayers for the churches of our synod, especially Good Shepherd in Coquitlam and Pastor Eric Krushel and King of Life in Coquitlam and Interim Pastor Katalin Janko.
“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,” Hear us, we pray.
God of life, make us grab on to each moment, squeezing out the subtle pleasure of being alive and tending ably to our daily affairs. You are with us in the great and small moments of living. Make us mindful of the richness of the ordinary.
“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,” Hear us, we pray.
The light has come and leads us forward. Our Christ goes with us now and forever. Alleluia. AMEN.
