God of peace
we thank you we can and do live in peace
we are free from war and conflict in our land
we are free to worship, to travel, to love
we thank you for this blessing on us and this country
help us to not take it for granted
today we specifically bring before you
Burundi, Mali, Somalia and South Sudan
where there is no peace
these are countries rarely mentioned in the news
and barely known to us
but we offer them to you, in faith and love
knowing you know each one and are acting out your love through those who work for peace in those countries
[pause]
Lord Jesus Christ
the one who sprung from the root of Jesse
to rule over all the nations
to bring hope to all the people
we thank you that you are our true King
that all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to you
we thank you that, no matter what you are the one we can and do place our trust in
not powerful people
not riches
but you
this week, as a General Election looms
we thank you we have the right to vote
guide our choice not by our own desires, but by
for we long for a government who will serve with justice, compassion, honestly
[pause]
Justice bringing King
we praise and thank you that your justice allows all people to know your love and forgiveness
even us
may your justice fall down in this land as refreshing rain on dry, parched land
so all may know peace
the deep peace you alone can give
[pause]
Loving God
we thank you for the Advent journey
a time to wait, to anticipate, to reflect
grant us the wisdom and courage to use this time well
to your honour and glory
to bring hope and peace into our homes, our streets, our land
our hearts and minds have so many worries and concerns and so many things to be thankful for
that in a few moments of quiet
we offer them up to you
knowing you understand, even where we can find no words
[pause]
Lord
accept our prayers
spoken and written on our hearts
through Christ Jesus
our true King
Amen