God of hope,
you raised up John the baptizer
as a herald who calls us to conversion.
As we joyfully await the glorious coming of Christ,
we pray to you for the needs of the church and the world.

Gracious God, help us to meet you as you come to us.
Help us to prepare your way in our lives,
and to announce your coming in love to others.
Take, O God, what we give and transform it, to your glory.
Take, O God, what we do and transform it to your acting.
Take, O God, what we say and transform it to your singing.
Take, O God, what we live and transform it to your creating.
Lord, hear our prayer....

You hear us calling
You hear us calling
Abba Father

Lord, hear too our prayer for those rough places in our lives
and in the lives of others that we name before you.
Fill the valleys with your light,
level the uneven paths with your grace,
and grant that your Spirit might so move us and others,
that your saving presence might be visible to all.

Lord, on this Sunday of preparation,
this Sunday which celebrates your peace,
help there to be peace in our lives
Peace in our churches,
and peace in our world.

Where we have sinned, move us to repentance,
and help us confess to those we have grieved and seek their forgiveness;
where others have sinned against us
help us to trust in your vindication
and grant that those who have hurt us
might see your light and be made new in Christ.
Lord hear our prayer....

You hear us calling
You hear us calling
Abba Father

O God, grant us grace
To create spaces of peace and hope in a world full of discord and despair;
That as we await the return of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
We will cultivate places where is he already welcome.

Hear our humble prayer
that we may serve you in holiness and faith
and give voice to your presence among us
until the day of the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy