ADVENT III
December 11, 2022
The Stirring Prayers of Advent
“Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation.”
“Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace;”
“Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way;”
“Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises,”
(Prayers for the Sundays in Advent, Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
The Prayer of the Day is a part of our liturgy every Sunday, and usually relates to the day’s worship theme, as found in the scripture readings and the music chosen for the day’s worship. These four Sundays, however, have a unique interconnectedness, as each prayer asks our Lord to stir up his power, our hearts, and the wills of all. From the very early days of Christianity, these prayers have continued, as God’s people bring their needs, their fears and their hopes to their heavenly Father.
These words of supplication call on the Lord God for protection and enlightenment, to nurture our growth in repentance of peace. Further, the prayers express the knowledge that our faith needs to be strengthened, That God’s abundant grace and might will free us from sin. These beautiful words are statements of trust and faith, that our Lord has the power to take away our sins and bring light into the darkness of this world. How much more timely could prayers be than these?
Ancient and yet contemporary, we continue to hope and pray for these gifts from God that make it possible for us to be his people in this cold, harsh, conflicted world. At first glance, all this stirring up may seem like an odd way to start these prayers, but it was evident to the early Christians, even as it is today, that we fall into old routines, we get discouraged or apathetic, and we won’t accomplish much without some stirring action. God will show us how to get moving, to walk in his ways, and to grow as people of repentance and peace. These prayers express the longing and hope for the coming of the freedom Christ brings to the whole world. As our hearts and wills are stirred up, our voices will be heard, rejoicing that once again God’s own Son, Christ Jesus our Lord comes into the world.
Getting all stirred up for the coming of the Promised One,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers