Even in times of distress, anxiety and concern, we have much for which to be thankful: for life; family, home, friends and neighbours; health, caregivers, ability to work and serenity of life; faith and our religious community, for God who surrounds us on every side and leads us forward day by day. Remember, the sun is shining, even when we can’t see it.

FOR THESE AND ALL HIS MERCIES MAY THE LORD’S HOLY NAME BE PRAISED. Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all you have done for us. We thank you for the splendour of the whole creation, for the beauty of the world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. We thank you for the blessings of family and friends and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us. And we thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone. Above all, we think you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his word and the example of his life, for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising again, by which we are raised to life in your kingdom. Grant us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, we may give thanks to you for all things. Amen.

Almighty God, we pray for this Land of Iraq; may it return to honest industry, truthful education, and an honourable way of  life. Save us all here from violence, discord and confusion; from pride and arrogance;  and from every evil course of action. Make us a united people. Bless, guide and give wisdom to all Iraqi people and we especially pray for all at our sister Church of St George’s.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is our strength and our salvation. Amen.

Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21, 28. Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now and in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen.

Hark what a sound, all too divine for hearing, stirs on the earth and trembles in the air! Is it the thunder of the Lord’s appearing? Is it the music of his people’s prayer?

Christ is the end, for Christ was the beginning.

Frederick Wm. H. Myers.

In a moments silence or out loud we pray for all those in need of our prayers at this time…

God for whom we wait, keep us ever watchful and ready to stand before you, and in the presence of him who is our salvation, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tags: Advent, Thanksgiving