Pastoral Prayer (Dec. 17) Athens First UMC

[Our Leadership Board was introduced at both worship services on Sunday. They are a wonderful and dedicated group of people who oversee the life and ministry of our church to help us fulfill our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our community and world. We offered a prayer of blessing upon them as they prepare for a new year of leading our church. Thank you for all you do on our behalf, Leadership Board! For the sermon & sermon discussion questions, click here.]

God, thank you for the manger scene which included the unexpected guests of the shepherds. Thank you for the good news of our faith that draws all people to you.

Forgive us for those times when we did not invite those around us to take a turn in holding the newborn King.

Forgive us for those times when we have forgotten that your royal baby is meant to be shared with the entire world.

Your manger scene isn’t complete without the shepherds who symbolize the many people who you want to be part of the Christmas portrait.

May our family Christmas picture this year be one where even more people are included…

Like the children who have a parent serving time in prison…like the man out of work who comes to Monday lunch to receive a hot meal…like the family in search of a church home…like the college student still undecided about her future goals…like the person living in a nursing home far away from home…like the man coping with an addiction…like the person struggling to believe.

O God, our family picture just won’t be complete this year without all of your people around that manger scene. Remind us to announce the coming birth of Christ to everyone, especially to those beyond our church walls.

In this season of Advent, come by here, O God. Come by here and offer your peace where there is the threat of war. Come by here and bring unity where there is division. Come by here and bring healing where there is brokenness. Come by here and prepare a feast where there is famine. Come by here and hear the prayers of so many people who have heavy hearts this holiday season.

Come by here, Kum Ba Yah, O God, even as we pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray saying…  “Our Father, who art in heaven…”