Second Sunday in Advent (A) - 4 December 2022

Heavenly Father, You stir the hearts of Your faithful to prepare us for the advent of Your Son. We implore You, feed us continually with Your Word and Sacraments as we look for His return. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, You preserved Jesse’s faithful line by the incarnation of Your Son. Give families and individuals strength to faithfully fulfill their vocations to love and forgive one another, that we may be trained up in Your fear, love and trust. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, Your Son rules over creation with justice and righteousness. Endow those in authority with the desire and ability to protect the innocent, punish the wicked and work for the common welfare. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Compassionate Lord, as we await the day when the wolf will dwell alongside the lamb and pain and destruction are no more, grant us patience, comfort and healing, according to Your will. Hear our prayers for all the sick, [especially _____________,] and give wisdom and skill to all medical professionals who care for them. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, and make ready the way of Your only begotten Son, who comes to us this day in His true body and precious blood for the forgiveness of our sins. May all who feast upon Him do so in repentance and faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, grant that we may be kept in joy and sustained in hope through every trouble and trial of this mortal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Third Sunday in Advent (A) - 11 December 2022

Father of all mercies, the visitation of Your Son has enlightened the darkness of our hearts and every corner of creation. Hear us as we pray in His name and according to His will.

O God, You have sent messengers to prepare the way of Your Son’s coming. Grant us ears to hear and hearts to believe the words delivered by pastors and all who bear Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Lord, You have instituted the home to be a refuge for husbands and wives and a place of growth and safety for children. Look with favor upon the homes of our land, and grant that the faith might be delivered from one generation to the next. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, the prophet Isaiah looked for the day when blind eyes would see, deaf ears would hear, lame legs would leap and mute tongues would sing. Until the final day of restoration, draw near to all who have requested our prayers, [especially _____________,] and give them healing according to Your gracious will. Bind up those who grieve, that they may look for the resurrection of all flesh. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, Your love invites us to rejoice in Your goodness. In every circumstance of life, teach us the joy that comes from knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and eagerly expecting His gracious visitation; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Fourth Sunday in Advent (A) - 18 December 2022

Lord God, You promised the virgin-born Son to reluctant King Ahaz, and in the fullness of time the Word became flesh. Open our hearts and strengthen our faith gladly to receive Your Son in the signs where He is present: Your Holy Word and Sacraments. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, preserve all couples who are engaged to be married in faithfulness and honor, that they may come to their wedding day without fear, shame or disgrace. Clothe all brides and grooms in the forgiveness of Jesus, in which all can stand before You cleansed and confident of Your blessing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, have mercy on us, and spare our nation. Clear away all empty shows of piety and renew genuine faith in the virgin’s Son, that His coming at the last may not be a sign against us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, You named Your Son “Jesus” because He was born to save us from our sins. Give us repentant hearts. Do not let us bow to temptation or abuse His name by seeking our own way, but lead us to confess our sins and rejoice in His salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, look with kindness on the sick and those in any need [especially _____________]. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, grant that, as we recall with thanksgiving the coming of Jesus in the flesh, we may always confess Him and remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day; for You live and reign, ever one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Christmas Eve - 24 December 2022

Almighty God, by the incarnation of Your eternal Son, You revealed that You are love. Give us true faith in Christ and His promise that by His conception, virgin birth, holy life, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, our sins are forgiven and we are Yours. Fill us with joy, and lead us to proclaim Your glad tidings to all people. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, by His birth in human flesh, Your dear Son took His place in the family of Mary and Joseph. Bless the families of our church and our country, that men and women would live faithfully as husbands and wives, loving and caring for their children and nurturing them in the grace of Baptism and all the truth of Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, Your Son born in Bethlehem is the Son of David and the Lord of David, to whom every knee shall bow. Look upon those You have placed in authority, and grant that they would govern in wisdom and justice. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Lord, in the birth of Your Son, You have visited and redeemed Your people. Continue to visit those who are lonely, sick, recovering or near death [especially _____________]. Let Your presence be a comfort to them, and give them perseverance until the time You grant healing, relief, deliverance and peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank You, dear Lord, for the saints who received Your blessing of righteousness in Christ and now stand in the most holy place before Your throne. Preserve us by Your grace in the holiness of Christ, that we, too, may dwell in Your light and life for eternity; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Christmas Day - 25 December 2022

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks that Your Son, the eternal Word, has become flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. Extend His praise into all the world, that with us many would come to hope in His steadfast love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

As our families gather in this holy season, give us patience, that we may be slow to judge and quick to forgive. Comfort the lonely with Your presence, and help us extend the welcome of our homes and the friendship of Your grace. Make us mindful of those less fortunate, who celebrate this blessed feast in poverty and want, and teach us to be generous. Accept with our offerings the living sacrifice of our bodies to Your service and our voices in praise and thanksgiving. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, guard and keep all who are sick, lonely, overwhelmed by grief or poor in spirit, [especially _____________,] that they may be comforted and healed according to Your good and gracious will. Let them look to Jesus Christ and be reminded that He is the light no darkness can overcome. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that we may come worthily to receive the body and blood of Jesus with faith in His bodily presence for us, that we may depart with grace upon grace from His fullness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank You, Lord God, for all Your people who have gone before us and now rest in Your presence. Keep us faithful with them until that day when You make all things new; for You live and reign with Christ and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who has also taught us to pray . . . The Lord’s Prayer.

Lord God of hosts,

Stretch forth Your almighty arm to strengthen and protect those who serve in all branches of law enforcement in our country. Support them in times of danger, and in times of peace keep them from all evil, giving them courage and loyalty. Grant that in all things they may serve with integrity and with honor; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  (233)

Almighty God,

we give You thanks for the gift of Your Church, purchased by the blood of Jesus. We praise You for joining us to the body of Christ through Baptism and granting us a new life of faith in Him. You have turned us from idols to serve You, the living and true God. Grant us grace to wait for Jesus’ return amidst the scoffing and unbelief of the world, and through Him deliver us from the wrath that is to come.  Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Eternal Lord, ruler of all,

graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that, guided by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (223)

O most loving Father,

You want us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing except losing You, and to lay all our cares on You, knowing that You care for us. Strengthen our faith in You. Grant that the fears and anxieties of this mortal life may not separate us from Your love shown to us in Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  (787)

Most merciful Father,

You have committed to our love and care our fellow human beings and their necessities. Graciously be with and prosper all those who serve the sick and those in need. Let their service be abundantly blessed as they bring relief to the suffering, comfort to the sorrowing, and peace to the dying. Grant them the knowledge that inasmuch as they do it unto the least of the Master's brethren, they do it unto Him; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.  (215)