Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
Leader		We gather to get ready for Jesus' birth. Now is the time to get ready. Let us pray. Merciful God, help us to be ready to welcome your Son, Jesus. Be our strength as we take a closer look at our words and actions toward others. Forgive us for any poor choices we have made. Forgive us for hurting others. We ask this in Jesus' name.
All		Amen.
READING
Reader		Listen to these words from the Gospel of Mark in the Bible. John the Baptist preached in the desert. He baptized people in the Jordan River to forgive their sins. He said, "Someone mightier than me is coming. I am not worthy to take off his sandals. I baptize with water. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit." (based on Mark 1:4–8.)
RESPONSE
Leader		As we get ready for Jesus' coming, let us look into our own hearts. We ask God's mercy for the times when we have turned away from one another by what we said or did.
Reader		For the times we have been selfish, Lord have mercy.
All		Lord have mercy.
Reader		For the times we have hurt someone's feelings, Christ have mercy.
All		Christ have mercy.
Reader		For the times we refused to be friends with someone. Lord have mercy.
All		Lord have mercy.
Reader		Let us pray. Lord, we know that you love us. Forgive us when we do wrong. Help us to love as you love. We ask this in Jesus' name.
All		Amen.
Leader		As a sign of our willingness to love and forgive one another, let us join hands and pray the prayer Jesus taught us.
All		[Say together the Lord's Prayer.]
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader		Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we look forward to this Advent season for the coming of your Son, Jesus, now and at the end of time. Create in us a new heart so that we can recognize you. Forgive us for all that we have done wrong. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
All		Amen.
CLOSING SONG