Evening Prayer Friday, 11 December 2020

Good evening, everyone.
Welcome to Friday evening’s prayers.

At the end of the second week of Advent,
let’s spend a little more time reflecting on the coming of Jesus.

Each year during Advent we speak of Jesus coming into a world of darkness.
There seems to be plenty of darkness around today.
Anxiety and constraints related to the Coronavirus;
anxieties as we face uncertainties about Brexit;
people separated from those they love.

So let us bring some light into these dark corners
by offering our cares and concerns to God,
in the sure knowledge that he will listen and lighten our load.

Loving God, how can we thank you for the gift of Jesus,
coming into a dark and troubled world,
to bring light to those who know and love him?

We pray for all those who face an uncertain future,
especially if they feel unsupported at this time.

We remember those whose work offers them little security,
who worry how they will manage if they lose their job.

We pray for those nursing people suffering with the Coronavirus,
unsure whether they will be amongst those who recover, or not.

We pray for those with other medical conditions
whose treatment has been delayed.

Give peace to all who are anxious.
Open their eyes to see the light
and enable them to feel the guiding hand of Jesus
as they broach an uncertain future.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for all those who are trying to ensure
that the Brexit process runs smoothly
and to retain good relationships with other European countries.

We pray for people whose businesses are dependent on trade with Europe.

We pray for those who are employed in European countries
or travel regularly to Europe for work.

We pray for those who have friends and family members
in European countries who may be concerned
how easy it will be to keep in touch.

Father, we know that these are all difficulties
which can be overcome, some quite easily.
But we also know that this knowledge may not make people any less anxious.
So we ask that your presence may calm their anxieties,
and that, by looking to you, they may see the light
and be guided to a place of calm and repose.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

And now we turn our thought to other places in the world.

Let us pray for other countries
where the onset of the Coronavirus is at its worst.

We pray for people everywhere who live in overcrowded accommodation,
where social distancing is impossible.

We pray for people who live where the demands on medical services
have reached saturation point,
praying for those who are anxious,
but whose wait to see a doctor seems interminable.

We pray, too, for medical staff who do not feel
that they can serve their patients as well as they would like to.

Loving God, bring your peace into these situations.
Calm the anxiety and stress which makes any condition worse.
Reassure those who work in hospitals and medical centres
that they can only do their best,
and that what they do is appreciated.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have been bereaved, whether this is recent,
or a past loss that still leaves a gaping hole in their lives.

We pray for children who have lost their parents
and for parents who have lost their children.

We pray for all who are alone, especially any who feel isolated and friendless.

Stay alongside them.
May they feel the comfort and peace of your presence in their daily lives.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Please click the link below to join in our final hymn, then return for a final prayer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYX6J25SYE

Like a candle flame
flickering small in our darkness,
uncreated light
shines through infant eyes.

God is with us, alleluia. (Men)
God is with us, alleluia. (Women)
Come to save us, alleluia. (Men)
Come to save us, (Women)
Alleluia! (All)

Stars and angels sing,
yet the earth sleeps in shadows.
Can this tiny spark
set a world on fire?

Yet his light shall shine
from our lives, Spirit blazing
as we touch the flame
of his holy fire.

Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1988 Make Way Music

And now, we pray in the words of Sr Bridgetta Rooney of CAFOD:

Christ, come into our world of darkness,
light up our lives with your coming.
Fulfil all our longings with the joy of your birth.
Strengthen our resolve to work for change in our world
and to share the hope of your birth that each Advent brings.

Amen

Rosemary Kearsey