Author: Bellshill Central

🌟 Fourth Week of Advent Prayer Service
Theme: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

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Opening Call to Worship
Leader: 
We gather in the light of Advent, awaiting the coming of Christ. 
We bring our hopes, our longing for peace, our joy in God’s promises, and our love for one another. 

All: 
Come, Lord Jesus, come! 

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Recalling our Advent Candles
– First Candle (Hope): We lit this candle to remind us of the hope we have in Christ. 
– Second Candle (Peace): We lit this candle to remind us that Christ brings peace to a troubled world. 
– Third Candle (Joy): We lit this candle to remind us of the joy of Christ’s presence. 
– Fourth Candle (Love): We lit this candle to remind us that God’s love is revealed in Christ’s birth. 

All: 
Christ is our light, shining in the darkness. 

Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have not always lived in hope, nor sought peace, nor shared joy, nor shown love. Forgive us, renew us, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. 

Silent reflection 

Leader: In Christ we are forgiven. 
All: Thanks be to God! 

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Scripture Readings
– Hope: Isaiah 9:2–7 – The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. 

The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shined.
You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

– Peace: Luke 2:13–14 – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace. 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

– Joy: Philippians 4:4–7 – Rejoice in the Lord always. 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

– Love: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 – Love is patient, love is kind. 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

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Think on these themes. Tying together our Advent themes

– Hope looks forward to Christ’s coming. 
– Peace is God’s gift in Christ. 
– Joy springs from God’s promises fulfilled. 
– Love is the greatest gift, binding all together. 

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Responsive Prayer
Leader: Lord of Hope, shine your light in our darkness. 
All: We place our trust in you. 

Leader: Prince of Peace, still our anxious hearts. 
All: We long for your peace. 

Leader: God of Joy, lift our spirits. 
All: We rejoice in your salvation. 

Leader: God of Love, dwell among us. 
All: We love because you first loved us. 

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Responsive Advent Prayer of Intercession

Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the World, 
you come to banish darkness and bring life. 
As we wait for your coming, we lift our prayers before you.

All: Come, Lord Jesus, and renew your world.

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Leader: For those who feel forgotten or lost, 
for nations torn by conflict, 
for families divided by strife, 
we pray for hope and peace.

All: Come, Lord Jesus, and make us peacemakers.

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Leader: For those weighed down by sorrow, illness, or loneliness, 
for children and young people growing in wonder, 
for all who long for joy in their lives, 
we pray for gladness and comfort.

All: Come, Lord Jesus, and let joy overflow.

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Leader: For the vulnerable, the poor, and the marginalized, 
for our families, friends, and neighbours, 
for your church and all who serve in your name, 
we pray for love to bind us together.

All: Come, Lord Jesus, and let your love be born anew.

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Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, 
make us ready to welcome you with open hearts and willing hands. 
You live and reign with the Father and the Spirit, 
one God, now and forever.

All: Amen. 

Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer 

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Closing Blessing
May the God of Hope fill you with peace, 
May the God of Peace grant you joy, 
May the God of Joy strengthen you in love, 
And may the God of Love bless you this Advent and always. 

All: Amen.