Prayer for Today

Emmanuel, we know you are with us in these Advent days of preparation.

We know you are with families

            separated by miles,

            separated by abuse or pain,

            separated by death.

We know you are with soldiers

and others whose commitments take them far from home.

We know you are with us in our daily preparations—

for Christmas, yes;

but also our daily preparations

for the school bus,

for the staff meeting,

for the evening meal.

We know you are with us, Emmanuel,

as we pray Mary’s prayer of justice and hope—

that all shall have what we need, and no less.

Holy One, this week we acknowledge the mixed feelings

we may have about justice gains and losses—

from the DREAM Act to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Help us to keep working for your Shalom,

your Way for us in this world,

your Kin-dom of Oneness…

knowing that you are always with us,

speaking your peace to our spirits…

A peace that may be renewed this Christmas and throughout the year

as we come together as one

to pray:

Our Father…