A Prayer in Advent: for The Church

This Advent, join me in praying for The Church and for the people who are the churches. These prayers come from the Book of Common Prayer: Daily Prayer, published by our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) sisters and brothers. It’s been on my shelf, recently re-discovered, and offers a wealth of riches. For example —

How great is your love, Lord God,

how wide is your mercy!

Never let us board up the narrow gate that leads to life

with rules or doctrines that you dismiss;

but give us a Spirit to welcome all the people with affection,

so that your church may never exclude secret friends of yours,

who are included in the love of Jesus Christ,

who came to save us all. Amen.