A Prayer in Advent: For Joy, Healing, Blessing & Hope

I’m interrupting the series of prayers from our sisters and brothers in the Presbyterian Church (USA) to share this one with you. It was written by Jerry Chism, a United Methodist colleague —

Oh Immanuel, God with us, truly in this Advent season we celebrate that you are not hidden in some faraway cloud, but you chose to be with us in the blur and mystery of our lives.

In the midst of lists and rush, you are with us as a song that echoes in our minds, as the light of a candle, as a card from a friend. They are signs of your presence.

We turn to you this season and pray that you would birth joy and healing, blessing and hope in us.

Let something wonderful begin in us — something surprising and holy.

May your hand be upon us. Let your love fill us. Let your joy overwhelm us.

Let our longing for you be met on a coming holy night, Immanuel.

Amen.