Almighty King
Glorious Father
we praise and bless you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord
a gift for the whole world to see
accessible, vulnerable, human
we can touch and see and hear him
this is the light of our world
with us
thank you Lord
for this gift, so wondrously given to us
given for the whole world
we pray for those who celebrated Christ’s birth
with food and gifts and parties
yet are still searching for meaning in their lives
we pray for those who wanted to celebrate Christ’s birth
but the cupboards were quite literally bare
we pray for those who wish to prevent the celebration of Christ’s birth
least it may cause offence or might result in a change in people’s hearts
[pause]
grant us the courage to tell others about Christ’s birth, and to show, in our words, actions and deeds, that he is truly the light and life of the world
Christ our King
we praise you for living among us
showing mercy and justice and love
in your healing, in your teaching, in your actions
we recall before you those who are in need of your mercy, justice, love
because they are in pain, body, mind or soul
because justice has failed them
because no one has shown them mercy
still their minds, open their hearts to your goodness with them
and guide those in our world who seek to bring about, in their actions, mercy, justice, love
those who care for us, day after day
those who volunteer in foodbanks across the country
those who take medical care to places of war and violence, bringing hope and healing
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Amen