Monday Prayer, December 20, 2021

“Joyful and triumphant?”

God,

we lit the fourth Advent candle yesterday,

we sang Christmas carols,

we watched as the children acted out the story of the nativity,

but,

if I’m honest,

although the tree is decorated now,

Christmas cheer has not reached me yet.

God,

we cancelled Christmas services this week

because we want to keep people safe from Covid-19,

but also

we don’t have enough willing people to steward them.

God,

I am saying it out loud,

I wish it weren’t true,

but the church of which I am a part

is dying.

On good days,

I believe you will raise up something new in its place.

On bad days?

with Ezekiel I cry: Lord, you know!

God,

we sang “O come all ye faithful” yesterday.

The organ music

and the voices

and the words

touched my spirit

as together we declared our adoration.

God with us,

thank you for your faithful people,

everywhere,

who encourage me.

And

thank you for the blessing of Christ Jesus,

born into a world of sorrow,

born to save us all.

Amen.

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Rev Dr Jean Kirkwood is a parish minister serving inner city churches in Scotland, U.K.. Her blog can be found at scottishkirk.wordpress.com.

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