Heavenly Father, we thank you for bringing us safely into this Advent season of great anticipation. With restless hearts and trepidation, we are cautiously planning for festive events within your church and at home. We long to enjoy our beloved Christmas bazaars, pageants, concerts, and worship free from the anxiety of COVID. We humbly acknowledge that this year will still be different from pre-pandemic celebrations, but we are delighted to be able to gather again with family and friends and to hear our choirs sing cherished carols.
Gracious Emmanuel guide us as we continue to work out the COVID guidelines for worship and in-door gatherings. Ease our anxiety as we welcome strangers to our parishes who might not share our passion for being vaccinated, wearing masks, and keeping our distance. We pray for patience among your faithful who are growing weary of these rules and for hope that one day soon this pandemic will leave us.
Wonderful Counselor, we thank you for giving us this time of deprivation. Through this journey we have come to realize just how many blessings we have and how we take them for granted. Help us to move out of this pandemic world as a more welcoming people, quick to love and help others, and slow to anger and fear.
Prince of Peace be with us as we walk in your ways. Help us to serve you by supporting those in need, visiting the sick and lonely, and reaching out to refugees and captives. We thank you that we can once again experience the joy of sharing with others in-person and witnessing their delight in being together.
Light of the World bring us your joy and peace this Christmas and protect us from the disappointment of unforeseen circumstances. Help us to never lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas and to do everything possible to keep you at the centre as you are the reason for the season.
To you, O Lord, belong all glory and honor.
Amen.
God bless, Valerie and Stacey
For more information on AFP-C, contact Valerie Bennett and Stacey Neale at [email protected]
