Voices of Advent Prayer

 

Introduction to Prayer:
Let us pray together as we ponder the familiar words of Jesus in the Beatitudes,
given to us at the Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes, Jesus speaks about life in a way that startles his listeners. We are told that the way to God is not through, power, wealth, violence or oppression. Jesus knows that our spiritual journey will not be without difficulty, hardship and sorrow. Jesus encourages us that it is good to be on this journey. The Beatitudes challenge us to walk through life as one with God.

 

Refrain by choir:
Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord, by the light of truth
to seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way, be my truth, be my life, my Lord,
and lead me, Lord, today.

 

First Beatitude:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Who among us is poor in spirit?)

I speak for those who are poor in spirit.
We are a people who are brokenhearted because of failure and loss. We struggle to trust and depend on God. Blessed are we who seek a deeper relationship with God. We know that life without God is lonely and meaningless.
We turn to you, our sisters and brothers, in brokenness, and ask for your encouragement and support in seeking wholeness and oneness with God.

Response: We will walk with you on your journey and renew your spirit.
We also want to deepen our relationship with God. We recognize that we need God’s help to live a meaningful life. Let us walk together and pray for each other on our journey.

 

Refrain by choir.

 

Second Beatitude:
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
(What is it that makes us sad? For whom and what do we cry?)

I speak for those who mourn.
Our hearts are heavy with grief because of the loss of a loved one, loss of health, loss of independence, loss of home or job. We realize sorrow is a part of life. Blessed are we as we face our sadness and look to God for strength, peace, love and courage. We turn to you, our sisters and brothers, seeking God’s love and peace. We ask for comfort and strength in times of sadness.

Response: We will walk with you on your journey and renew your spirit. We too are grieving personal losses and need God’s strength, peace and love. Let us walk together and pray for each other on our journey.

 

Refrain by choir.

 

Third Beatitude:
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
(What does it mean to be meek?)

I speak for those who are meek and gentle. We struggle to let go of power, prestige and possessions. We ask God to soften our hardened hearts and help us to be kind. Blessed are we as we strive to be humble and meek rather than arrogant and self-centered. We turn to you, our sisters and brothers, and ask for encouragement to depend more on God. Remind us that whatever we accomplish is not by our power, but by the power of God.

Response: We will walk with you on your journey and renew your spirit. We want to give up the things of the world that keep us from God. We want to be humble and meek and put our trust in God. Let us walk together and pray for each other on our journey.

 

Refrain by choir.

 

Fourth Beatitude:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be filled.
(What are some of injustices you see in your life?)

I speak for those suffer from oppression. We ask for forgiveness when we see prejudice, or meet someone in need and fail to respond. We turn to you, our sisters and brothers, and ask your help to be more aware of our neighbor’s pain, so that we may be the light of Christ for others.

Response: We will walk with you on your journey and renew your spirit. We want to respond to injustice not only with words but actions. We want to be God’s love and light for others in their hurting. Let us walk together and pray for each other on our journey.

 

Refrain by choir.

 

Fifth Beatitude:
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
(What does it mean to be truly merciful?)

I speak for those in need of mercy, as well as those who show mercy to others.
To be merciful is to understand compassion. Mercy calls us to be a people who are generous, forgiving and full of love. It takes great strength to be merciful in the face of injustice and great kindness to be merciful to a stranger. Blessed are we who love as God loves and show mercy to our neighbor. We ask you, our sisters and brothers, to support us in showing kindness and compassion to all those we meet.

Response: We will walk with you on your journey and renew your spirit. We want to respond to others with forgiveness, generosity and compassion. We want to bring God’s gentleness and mercy to others. Let us walk together and pray for each other on our journey.

 

Refrain by choir.

 

Sixth Beatitude:
Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.
(What does it mean to be pure of heart?)

I speak for those who live life committed to God. We want to do what is right, not for personal gain, but because we love God. Blessed are we as we are tempted by society and Hollywood’s empty promises. We turn to you, our sisters and brothers, and ask for help to avoid the temptations of this world and live life for God.

Response: We will walk with you on your journey and renew your spirit. We want to do what is right even though we are distracted by society and the media. Help us remember to put God’s plan for our life first, so that we live life committed to God. Let us walk together and pray for each other on our journey.

 

Refrain by choir.

 

Seventh Beatitude:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
(How can we bring peace to our world?)

I speak for those who actively seek peace by trusting in God and stepping away from anger. We seek peace in our society by recognizing and accepting our differences. Blessed are we as we work for peace in our families, our country and our world. We turn to you, our sisters and brothers, and ask your help to create a world blessed in peace.

Response: We will walk with you on your journey and renew your spirit. Help us as we work to create peace in our homes, communities, and world. Let us walk together and pray for each other on our journey.

 

Refrain by choir.

 

Eighth and Ninth Beatitudes:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Who are the persecuted? Have you ever been persecuted?)

I speak for those who treat all people with love and respect.
Blessed are we when people insult, persecute and speak evil against us because of our faith. Blessed are we when we stand up for those who have no voice and hold the hand of those in pain. Blessed are we as we live the Beatitudes in a world that contradicts Jesus’ teachings. We turn to you, our sisters and brothers, and ask for strength, to work for peace and be God’s light in the world. Help us to remember the joy that we will receive when we are with God forever in heaven.

Response: We will walk with you on your journey and renew your spirit. We want to live the message of the Beatitudes. Help us to live life as Jesus lived, with compassion, mercy, love and peace in our hearts. Let us walk together and pray for each other on our journey.

 

Refrain by choir.