This new day dawns with your grace. We rise to what we think this day will bring, knowing it may take a turn without our permission. The noise of life absorbs us.

46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48 for he has been mindful    of the humble state of his servant.

We long for love. We rise each day in hope. We wait for you.

When life gets difficult, may we find a song for you. When we are afraid, may we find strength in you.

You are the Prince of Peace. Your love will have no end. Your grace will live forever.

May our lives reflect the joy of our belonging. May we remember that the Great Gardener has not forsaken us. You remain.

During this season of waiting, help us see. Break down the walls of separation we have built and open our hearts to unity. Break down the division we have created and help us heal relationships and communities.

You come to earth to live and walk among us. You know our feelings. You understand our hopes and pain.

As we wait during this advent season, may we look to the hearts of others to see you. May we lift up your generosity and grace.

May your gift of faith flood our hearts and minds. May we recognize it and put it into action. Help us work to ensure that all people know of this great gift - that imprisoned hearts may be set free.

Give us the strength to release our grip from resentment and control. Give us the strength to drink from the living water you so freely provide. Refresh our hearts. Clear our minds. Heal our bodies.

We say that we wait for your coming, but Lord, you are already here. We live in that tension between being fully loved and claimed and being lost in the noise. Slow our hearts. Slow our minds. Slow our bodies. Help us seek rest before we think we need it. Help us see rest as a holy gift from you - good in all ways.

May we know you so deeply that it changes how we see the world. May we know you so deeply that it changes how we treat the world. Shine your Holy light into our hearts.

You come into our lives in surprising and humble ways. You don’t require fame or glory. You don’t judge us by our size or wealth. You don’t need us to be popular or busy.

We believe that peace will come…after…We believe that we can’t find joy…during…We believe that we are alone…in the midst…

True joy isn’t fleeting or instant - it builds over time as we live more deeply into our relationship with the One who claims us and names us “Child of God.” Thank you for this season of giving, but Lord, may we recognize that you are the first giver - the true giver - the giver of light, and life, and hope, and joy.

Warm our hearts and mend our minds. Show yourself to us in the places that evoke fear and shame, transforming us into messengers of your peace. Teach us to reflect your grace into the world.

Our true beginning is wrapped up in your beginning - you were in the beginning. All things that came into being came through you, and Lord - THAT MEANS US!

You grow deeply in our lives. Take root in our hearts so we might see those in need during this season of light and respond with the love of Christ.

Instead of these feelings of abandonment or rejection Lord, may we feel your presence with us when life is difficult. Instead of seeking signs, may we recognize that YOU, in your complete fullness of love, are already present with us.