Fields United Methodist Church

A Pastor’s Prayer for Christmas

Gracious God, thank you for the gift of second chances; of hope; of peace; of joy, and of your love that has been poured into us by your Holy Spirit. This Christmas, we celebrate the birthday of your Son Jesus Christ, who came into our world, a world that needs you, now more than ever. We pray for those who struggle through the ravages of natural disasters and disasters of human origin. We pray for those swept up in the challenges of our day. We pray for our nation and its leaders. We pray for the church, the Body of Christ.  We pray for peace where peace is but a distant memory. We pray for your hope in the midst of hopelessness.  We pray for those who are sick, are caring for those who are sick, and those who are just sick and tired and being sick and tired. Lord Jesus, as you journey with us and in us today, help us to be ever mindful of your grand calling to us to love you more completely as we love our neighbor. Lord, may our Christmas celebration be a time of new beginnings, a time of fresh perspective, and a time of celebration of your presence with us through the darkness of sin and realities of the challenges of just being human. This year at Christmas, may we fall even more completely in love with you and may our witness be a beacon of hope to the world. Thank you Jesus for your presence through our years and the joy of salvation as you promise to be with us, even to the end of the age.  Amen