Proper Prayers for RCL Advent 2A
Isaiah 11.1-10; Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19; Romans 15.4-13; Matthew 3.1-12
Collect of the Day
Almighty God, who sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah, inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth, to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that/so that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge, we may stand with confidence before his glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. [1]
or
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [2]
or
God of justice, clear our lives of hatred and despair and sow in us seeds of joy and peace; so that shoots of hope may spring forth in us as we await the coming of the Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. [3]
or
Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, so that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour, we may be ready to receive him, who is our Lord and our God. Amen. [3]
or
Your kingdom is at hand, O God of justice and peace; you made John the Baptist its herald to announce the coming of your Christ, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Give us a spirit of repentance to make us worthy of the kingdom. Let complacency yield to conviction, that/so that in our day justice will flourish and conflict give way to the peace you bestow in Christ. Grant this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. [4]
or
God of the keen blade, which cuts the roots or arrogant power: you raise voices of promise in the dry lands of our desire, children of faith from the stones of the earth; make us ready to receive the Spirit and the fire of love wild and fierce and free; through Jesus Christ, the one who is to come. Amen. [5]
or
God of timeless grace, you fill us with joyful expectation. Make us ready for the message that prepares the way, that/so that with uprightness of heart and holy joy we may eagerly await the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. [6]
or
Labouring God, with axe and winnowing fork you clear a holy space where hurt and destruction have no place, and a little child holds sway. Clear our lives and hatred and despair, sow seeds of joy and peace, that/so thatshoots of hope may spring forth and we may live in harmony with one another; for we ask in the name of the One who is coming. Amen. [6]
Prayer over the Gifts
God our strength, we are nothing without you. Receive all we offer you this day as you sustain us with your mercy; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [1]
or
God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Saviour and Lord. Amen. [2]
Preface
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, who in the fullness of time came among us in our flesh, and opened to us the way of salvation. Now we watch for the day when he will come again in power and great triumph to judge this world, that/so that we, without shame or fear, may rejoice to behold his appearing. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your name. [1]
or
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, though whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn. [2]
The Breaking of the Bread
God of promise, you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb. [1]
Prayer after Communion
Faithful God, we thank you for feeing us with this heavenly banquet. Help us always to hear the prophet’s call to turn our hearts to you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. [1]
or
God for whom we wait, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with good things. Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen. [2]
Blessing
Be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of your life; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. [1]
or
Be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of your life; and the blessing the holy and undivided Trinity, the Author of creation, the Word of redemption and the Spirit of wisdom, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. [1 alt.]
or
May the Holy One of Israel, by whose providence our Redeemer came among us in great humility, sanctify you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen. [7 alt.]
or
May the Holy One of Israel, by whose providence our Redeemer came among us in great humility, sanctify you in the name of the holy and undivided Trinity, the Author of creation, the Word of redemption and the Spirit of wisdom, now and always. Amen. [7 alt.]
or
May the Sun of righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. [7 alt.]
or
May the Sun of righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing the holy and undivided Trinity, the Author of creation, the Word of redemption and the Spirit of wisdom, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. [7 alt.]
Notes
[1] The Book of Alternative Services 1985
[2] Evangelical Lutheran Worship 2006
[2a] Evangelical Lutheran Worship: Leaders Desk Edition 2006
[3] Alternative Collects for Years A, B & C of the RCL and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion 2019
[4] Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language 1997
[5] Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009
[6] Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002
[7] Book of Occasional Services 2003
N.B. Text in italics are possible alternatives suggested by the Ven. Richard Geoffrey Leggett, Ph.D.
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