1st Quarter - Year A- Issue of WorshipAid
December, January and February (2001-2002)

Prayers for December 23, 2001

4th Sunday of Advent

Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 80)

Leader: Hear our prayers, O Shepherd of Israel! With Your mighty power, come to save us!

People: Restore us, O God; let Your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Leader: We will never turn away from You; give us life, and we will call on Your name.

People: Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let Your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, during this season of warmth and happiness, during this time of celebration and light, sin is the farthest thing from our minds. This is the time of year when we want to focus on tinsel and presents, not on the evil the resides within us. But even now, as we prepare for the holy birth, open our eyes to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Open our hearts to realize that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners—to save sinners like us. Grant us mercy, so that we may celebrate the greatest Christmas gift of all—the forgiveness of our sins. In the name of Emmanuel, God with us, we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Blessed and merciful God, You have given us the greatest gift of all, the gift of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. As Your forgiven and freed people, may we respond to Your wonderful love by giving our gifts, our talents, and even our very lives for Your service. We ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your greatness and Your glory far exceed any name that we can speak. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You are the Ancient of Days, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. You are Good Shepherd, the Great Physician, the Prince of Peace. Today we celebrate the name of Your Son: Jesus, the very same Jesus who saves us from our sins; and the very same Emmanuel, who is God with us.

In our times of need, help us to cling to those names. When we turn from You, when we fail to walk in your ways, remind us that in Jesus there is forgiveness for our sins. And when we feel all alone in this life, when we feel that there is no one there to comfort us, remind us that Jesus is our Emmanuel. O God, help us know that You are with us even in the darkest hours. During this sacred season, shine Your light upon us, that we may be saved and that we might live each day in glorious hope. In the strong name of Jesus we pray. Amen.