These confessional prayers were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Promises: Awaiting Christ in a Weary World.” The bold text is spoken by the whole congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.”
Week 1: “A Promise to Put Our Hope In”
Gracious God, we confess
that we are sometimes tempted
to give up on your promise
of a world marked by justice, peace, and love,
and to settle for what seems expedient, easy, or inevitable.
Teach us again to invest ourselves
in the hard work of hoping,
and once you have filled our hearts with hope,
work within us to make your hopes come true.
In the saving name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Week 2: “A Promise of Peace“
Gracious God, we confess
that we struggle to find peace
in our lives, our world, and even in ourselves.
Calm what is frenzied in our souls;
soothe what is injured in our relationships;
purify what is hateful in our communities;
refine us to be messengers of your peace.
Give us strength to walk in the footsteps,
of our Lord and Savior, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Week 3: “A Promise to Rejoice In“
Precious Lord, we confess that joy seems elusive
in this time of darkness, chaos, and despair.
We strive endlessly for happiness, our own and others.
Remind us again that you want more for us,
true joy, based in trusting you.
Joy in all the beauty you have to offer us.
Train our souls to revel in your goodness,
and to take our joy in you alone.
In our Savior’s name we pray. Amen.
Week 4: “A Promise of Love“
Eternal God, we confess
that we don’t always believe
that there is truly enough love to go around.
We hoard it like it’s a finite gift,
and hesitate to give anyone our whole heart, including you.
Remind us, Lord God, of the truth of your love:
that it never runs out, that there is always enough,
that giving love away only creates more.
In the name of Christ our King, we pray. Amen.
Deep Well Worship 