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Advent Prayers, Week 1 Daily Prayers for Advent written by New Songers Isaiah 64:1-9a O that you would tear open the heavens and come down so that the mountains would quake at your presence - as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil - to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind - just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you - so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus said, "In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."
"O that you would tear open the heavens and come down!" Isaiah 64:1 O God of power, as this season of Advent dawns, shatter the places of darkness in our lives with the light of your promised coming. Show your power to all the world, overwhelming us with your goodness, strengthening our faith, forgiving our sin. By your holiness make us holy, ready to receive the promise of your salvation. By your mercy, make us merciful, ready to share your light with the world. Amen. Come Lord Jesus. What are some examples of "darkness" that you see in our world? Pray that God's light might come to those places of darkness. "But in those days,
after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not
give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers
in the heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming
in clouds of great power and glory." O God of glory, grant us the wisdom to see the signs of your presence in our midst, not only in the darkening of the sun and the falling of stars, but also in the laughter of a child, the generosity of a friend, the kindness of a stranger. Be known to our community in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup - signs of your love and faithfulness for us and for all your people. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. What are some of the signs of God's presence in your life? In the world? Pray that you will perceive God's presence in new and surprising ways. "About that day or hour no one knows…" Mark 13:32 O God of life, we cannot know the day of your coming any more than we can foresee the events of our lives or the time of our deaths. Aware that life is uncertain and often fragile, we nevertheless look with joy and anticipation to what the days and years may bring: in our world…in our nation…in our church…in our relationships…in our hearts. Teach us to rejoice in the gift of each day and to give thanks to you, the source of all life. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. What are some of God's gifts for which you are thankful? Remember someone who has died and give thanks for his or her life. "It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake…" Mark 13:34-35a O God of faithfulness, we do not know when you will come, but we do know that you will come. Keep us ever watchful and awake, prepared for that day when you will come again in glory. While we wait, let us not be idle. Instead, let us be faithful in being about the work you have called us to do in this time, in this place. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. How do you think God calls you to be faithful? In particular, ask God how you can be faithful to the call to care for those in need. "We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8 O God our creator, we are the work of your hands but work as yet unfinished. Only you know what our final form will be. As we await your coming, complete the good work you have begun in us, filling our hearts with faith in you and with love for your children, that when you come, we may greet you as whole and holy people. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. In what ways do you see yourself as a "work in progress?" Pray that God would continue to form and shape your life and your faith. "I give thanks
to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given
you in Christ Jesus." God of grace, we give you thanks for the community of faith you have gathered together at New Song. Fill us with your grace that we may be a blessing both to one another and to the City of Coralville. Help us to use our gifts to respond to the needs of those around us, offering a safe haven of acceptance, caring and compassion for all people. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. What gifts has God given you for ministry? Ask God to bless your gifts so that you can be a blessing to others.
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