Every Monday, Living Lutheran offers a week’s worth of prayers from the ELCA resource Prayer Ventures, which can be downloaded here. These petitions – one for each day this week – are offered as a guide for your own prayer life as together we pray for the needs of the world and give thanks for the ministries of our church.
Monday, Dec. 21: We remember in our prayers all seasonal workers who serve us during the holidays and pray that we may treat them with respect and gratefulness and invite them to join us in our faith communities, gatherings and celebrations.
Tuesday, Dec. 22: Even on the darkest of days our lives are illumined and warmed by the light of Christ, the son of God, born into our world and reality – God’s love manifest for all. On this Winter Solstice, we offer prayers of thanks and praise as we again relive the anticipation of Jesus’ birth.
Wednesday, Dec. 23: For families and individuals living in shelters this Christmas season, we pray they will experience joy, generosity and the company of people who demonstrate acceptance and care. We also pray that each may find safe, dependable shelter – a home – and the means to satisfy their daily needs.
Thursday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve We pray that we never lose the anticipation we have on the eve of Christmas and that all we say and do points to the ultimate proof of God’s love and mercy for us – Jesus Christ.
Friday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day On this day we give thanks and praise for the birth of Jesus, the incarnation of God among us, the yearned for yet undeserved gift of love and new life for all humanity.
Saturday, Dec. 26: On this first day of Kwanzaa, we remember our African American brothers and sisters and give thanks for the cultural heritage and traditions, family and community values, and concern for creation lifted up during the celebration of Kwanzaa.
Sunday, Dec. 27: Knowing and following Jesus can challenge all that seems familiar and important to us as humans. We pray that God will grant us the ability to trust and have faith, especially when we are troubled or uncertain.