12/26/2020
Prayer of the Church—Responsive Form
Christmas Day
25 December 2020
Word made flesh, in the joyous celebration of Your nativity, we have seen Your glory. Your goodness and loving kindness have appeared to us. Grant us comfort and peace in the knowledge of Your incarnation and a blessed new year. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Word made flesh, in Your Holy Gospel we have seen Your glory. Bless the preaching of the Gospel from the altars and pulpits You have consecrated for the purpose of delivering Your gift of faith through the preaching of Your Word. Bless those called to preach and those called to hear, that the light of Your Word may continue to illumine the darkness of our world. Abide with those who suffer persecution for confessing its truth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Word made flesh, by Your Sacrament of Holy Baptism we have seen Your glory. Make all the baptized confident in the promise given to them in the waters of Baptism. Grant repentance to parents who have withheld the treasures of Baptism from their children. Give to all Your people hearts welcoming of children. Continue to expand Your kingdom through this blessed portal to eternal life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Word made flesh, in Your ongoing provision of daily bread we have seen Your glory. By Your Spirit, visit those who suffer: the sick, the sorrowing, the hospitalized, the poor, the destitute, the homeless, the unemployed. Remember those who have requested our intercessions, that they might not be given to despair but entreat their heavenly Father’s protection even in times of great need. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Word made flesh, in Your crucifixion and resurrection we have seen Your glory. Give comfort to those who grieve. Grant to all people a sure and certain hope in the resurrection of all the dead and eternal life for all believers in You on the day of Your return. Keep us steadfast and faithful until that day. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Word made flesh, in Your Holy Supper we have seen Your glory. From Your humble entry into our world in the womb of the blessed Virgin to Your first bed in a feed trough, You set aside the honor You rightly deserve to bless us with Your presence. As You now come to us humbly under the forms of bread and wine, bless us with a right faith, that we might worthily receive Your body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Word made flesh, we give You thanks that of Your mercy and compassion, You become incarnate and have redeemed us from sin and everlasting death. Enlighten our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that we may ever be thankful for such grace and comfort ourselves by it in all tribulation and temptation and at last obtain eternal salvation; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are one Lord, one God, now and forever. Amen.
