a prayer I wrote for Advent

Prayer 

  

This Advent, as we prepare for the incarnation, we pray for all the troubles of the world.

  That the arc of history may bend towards peace.

As we prepare for the incarnation, we pray for the leaders of our nation and of all nations.

  That the arc of history may bend towards justice.

As we prepare for the incarnation, we pray for the leaders of all faiths.

  That they will be part of bending the arc of history towards hope.

As we prepare for the incarnation, we pray for our community in Clemson and the Upstate.

  That the arc of history may bend towards caring for each other.

As we prepare for the incarnation, we are grateful for all with which we have been blessed.

  That the arc of history may bend towards joy.

As we prepare for the incarnation, we pray for all who are hurting and struggling.

  That the arc of all our lives may bend towards love. 

As we prepare for the incarnation, we pray for all who have died.

  We entrust them to the arc of God’s love.

[closing collect from the prayer book]
Dear God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.