A Prayer in Advent: for Church Unity

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 —

O God,

you are the giver of life.

We pray for the church in the whole world.

Sanctify her life, renew her worship,

give power to her witnessing,

restore her unity.

Give strength to those who are searching together

for that kind of obedience which creates unity.

Heal the divisions separating your children one from another,

so that they will make fast, with bonds of peace,

the unity which the Spirit gives. Amen.