Prayer of thanks for the first week of Advent by Eric Stedfeld

I was glad when they said unto me, "let us go into the house of the Lord, where the tribes of the Lord go up, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord." For there are set thrones of judgment. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

Loving Father, Gracious Lord:

Thank you for your care for us, and for being a secure refuge in time of trouble. In your justice please show mercy for those who are oppressed and suffering. Grant your peace in the world, not due to any merits of your creation or of your children, but in the reconciliation you provided through Christ your son, whose birth we celebrate as we enter this Advent season. By taking on flesh and suffering the punishment we deserve for our sins, securing our redemption, the law is fulfilled in love. Thank you for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Show us also, how to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Thank you for the opportunity this past week to remember your many blessings. Thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed on us: life and health and safety, work and rest – and for all that is beautiful in creation and in the lives of people we praise and glorify your holy name. We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone. Give us thankful hearts full of gratitude towards you, and help us to become blessings to others as well, seeking out opportunities to serve them and you.

Be with your children around the world, and those in leadership in the church, that they may express your truth in their guidance and teachings. Grant us all the opportunity to exercise those spiritual gifts that you give through your holy spirit. Show us how we can encourage one another to reflect a godly character in our lives and interactions with others, and grow in grace. And guide us locally at our home church, in our ministry and outreach to our neighbors around us.

Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Psalm 147:7-12

Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.