December 10, 2023: Advent 2 (Blue or purple)
Isaiah 40:1-11 (Comfort my people; prepare way of the Lord; here is your God,
who feeds his flock like a shepherd)
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 (righteousness and peace kiss)
2 Peter 3:8-15a (1000 years like a day; end comes suddenly; live in righteousness, peace until He comes)
Mark 1:1-8 (John the Baptist announces One who is greater than he)
Opening hymn: Comfort, Comfort Now My People: LBW #29, ELW #256, LSB #347
Hymn of the Day:, On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry: LBW #26, ELW #249, LSB #344
Communion Hymn #1:, O God, Our Help in Ages Past: LBW #320, ELW #632, LSB #733
OR Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah: WOV #630, ELW #240
Communion Hymn #2: The Advent of Our God/King: LBW #22, LSB #331
OR Come Now, O Prince of Peace: ELW #247
Closing Hymn: Prepare the Royal Highway: LBW #26, ELW #264, LSB #343
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THE PRAYERS
Let us come before the throne of grace with our prayers and petitions.
A brief silence
O Lord, we long for your salvation; make haste and help us. Come quickly with blessing and comfort for your people, O strong Deliverer of Israel and the Redeemer of the world.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Prepare your Church for the coming of your Son. From valleys of lukewarm worship and half-hearted service, raise it to heights of praise and love. Level mountains of false teaching and self-importance. Lead it along level pathways of faithfulness and humility, so that many come to faith in Jesus.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Be merciful to our persecuted brothers and sisters who confess Christ in the presence of their enemies. Make their witness shine in the world’s darkest places. Prepare the hearts of their tormentors to receive the truth of the Gospel.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Prepare the people of this congregation for the coming of our Savior. Help us to lift up the humble, bring low our self-centered ways, and make level paths for leading people to Jesus. Bless everyone learning discipleship, discerning a call to ministry, or teaching and mentoring the faithful.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Prepare the hearts of our children for the coming of their dear Savior. Protect and bless them. Help us teach them to love Jesus and to trust him always.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Prepare the world for the coming of its King. Equip our earthly leaders to raise our eyes beyond all that divides and discourages us. Level the mountains of prejudice and hatred throughout the world. And guide all people in pathways of righteousness and peace.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Prepare the hearts of first responders and military personnel for the coming of the King of Peace. Raise up every righteous deed. Level mountains of suspicion and misunderstanding. Lead those we pray for along level pathways to safety and loved ones.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Prepare the hearts of those who suffer for the coming of Christ, the Great Physician. We lift before you the needs of: {LIST}. Raise them up from sickness and sorrow. Lay low the mountains of pain. By your Son’s gentle hand, lead them and their loved ones along level pathways into health and hope.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the lives of all who died trusting in your promises. Make us trust your Son’s promise to come again as Judge and Redeemer. Come, Lord Jesus, and lift us out of doubt, despair, and death! Come, Lord Jesus, and lay low the mountain of our sin! Come, Lord Jesus, and lead us on a level road into your Father’s house!
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Graciously answer our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.
