This final prayer of public worship for Advent is one of intercession, praying that the light of God’s love may scatter the darkness of this world. It’s taken from my recent book Collected Intercessions.
Light in our darkness
In a beautiful but broken world,
full of so much good yet so much evil,
so much joy yet so much sorrow,
we bring you, Lord, our prayers for others.
Where hardship has crushed the spirit,
poverty, injustice or disease having destroyed faith in the future,
Lord Jesus Christ,
may your love bring light.
Where war and suffering scar your world,
hatred, greed and intolerance erupting into violence,
Lord Jesus Christ,
may your love bring light.
Where disaster has brought devastation,
flood, famine, earthquake and hurricane shattering lives,
Lord Jesus Christ,
may your love bring light.
Where hearts are closed to you and others,
doubt, fear, dogma and prejudice creating alienation,
Lord Jesus Christ,
may your love bring light.
Come to our world, Lord, and heal its wounds,
shining in the darkness
and restoring joy, faith, hope and love.
Lord Jesus Christ,
may your love bring light.
Amen.