Prayer of the Church
Second Sunday in Advent (Populus Zion)
7 December 2025
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O Lord, give ear to our cries for mercy. Create in us contrite hearts, and work in us true repentance and faith. Keep us, Your baptized children, clothed in the perfect holiness and righteousness of Your Son, that we may remain His beautiful and unblemished Bride. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You send Your prophets and apostles, pastors and teachers in all times to call sinners to repentance and comfort them with the healing of the Sun of righteousness. Give strength to the congregations and ministers of Your Church, especially Matthew, our Synod president; Brian, our district president; David, our circuit visitor; and all pastors in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Lord, preserve Your gift of marriage against the ravages of sin, the schemes of the devil and the raging of the world. Bless the couples and families of our congregation. Strengthen them in love and care for one another, and establish them on the foundation of Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, in the midst of strife and conflict, and wars and rumors of wars, remind us that You have given all authority in heaven and earth to Your Son. Call to faithfulness the leaders of the earth, and bless those who govern. Thwart those who would hinder Your reign among all peoples, that peace may be established in every place. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of compassion, behold those in need, the sick, the imprisoned, the lonely and the grieving, and all whom we remember at this altar. Give them patience to endure and hope for the future, looking always for healing in the hands of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, You have taught us to straighten up and raise our heads when we see the coming of the Son of Man. Even now, Your Son comes to us under the bread and wine in the Sacrament. Grant that all who commune today may receive the very body and true blood of Christ for the forgiveness of all their sins. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, by Your Son You have revealed to us that heaven and earth will pass away, that our bodies will rise again, and that we will all appear before His judgment seat. We implore You, keep us in Your Word by Your Holy Spirit. Establish us in the true faith, defend us from all sin, and preserve us in every temptation. Do not let our hearts be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness or the cares of this life, but lead us to trust fully in Your grace and so watch, pray and await with joy the glorious coming of Your Son, in whom we obtain eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the same Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.