God of Promise,
we turn to You from a broken world,
bringing all our hopes to Your altar:
we hope for healing that gives abundant life
we hope for equality that brings wholeness
we hope for peace that abides
God of Promise,
we turn to You with loved ones on our hearts,
bringing all our hopes to Your altar:
we hope for comfort where there is grief
we hope for reconciliation where there is anger
we hope for unity where there is division
God of Promise,
we turn to You in this season of celebration,
bringing all our hopes to Your altar:
we hope for grace, to remember those in need
we hope for gratitude, to remember how generously You have met our needs
we hope for humility, to remember how much we always have need of You
God of the Promised One,
gather our hopes in Your heart
as we await Your coming day.
. . .
God of Promise,
kindle Your fire in us.
As we walk the Advent journey
keep our gaze focused on the Flame of Hope
and guide us by Your Perfect Light.
Amen.
Nikki Finkelstein-Blair is an ordained Baptist minister, at-home mom, and military spouse living in San Antonio, Texas. She blogs at www.onefaithfulstep.blogspot.com.
