Collect, Readings and Prayers for the 2nd Sunday before Advent.

Collect
Heavenly Father,

whose blessed Son was revealed

to destroy the works of the devil

and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:

grant that we, having this hope,

may purify ourselves even as he is pure;

that when he shall appear in power and great glory

we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;

where he is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Readings

2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13

Warning against Idleness

⁶ Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. ⁹ This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. ¹² Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Luke 21:5-19

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

⁵ When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ⁶ ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’

Signs and Persecutions

⁷ They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ ⁸ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.

⁹ ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ ¹⁰ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; ¹¹ there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

¹² ‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. ¹³ This will give you an opportunity to testify. ¹⁴ So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; ¹⁵ for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ You will be hated by all because of my name. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ By your endurance you will gain your souls

Prayers

As we come before our Lord Jesus in prayer, may we have clean hearts ready inside us for Him, so that He will be glad to come in and accept the hospitality of our hearts: He whose glory and power will endure throughout the ages.

• Loving God, we bring into your presence the bewilderment and uncertainty, the prejudice, the selfishness, the aggression, the mistrust, which threatens to engulf our country. We pray for all who are anxious and whose worries threaten to overwhelm them. We pray for those who have been made redundant, for struggling businesses, for all those who face financial difficulties, for the homeless and those who never have enough to eat, and for those whose health or mental health is threatened. Foster in us a willingness to support those organisations which work to alleviate suffering and deprivation.

Give wisdom to our political leaders Lord, as to how best to address the many problems which beset our nation, how best to maintain a vibrant economy and to ensure that the difficulties of those in greatest need are met, how best to generate respect for one another and an outlook of compassion and generosity to all, whatever their background, culture or creed.   Amen

• Holy God, we pray for your church throughout the world, for sceptics and believers, for clergy of all denominations and perspectives. For all those who seek God at home, at work, in the streets, and in the pews, for all who search for life. We pray for the stillness to listen to the voice of the Spirit and to recognise what you have done for us. Amen

• Lord, when we look at the suffering and cruelty in the world around us, sometimes it is difficult to hold on to hope, difficult to hold on to faith. ;We pray especially for all those whose faith is being battered and those who no longer pray; that your Holy Spirit may work in their hearts, reassuring them and assuaging their doubts and fears. We pray too for their friends and their spiritual guides, to stand alongside them in their doubts -  may they always be willing to be a listening ear,  to show them love and understanding, and encourage them to turn to you again.  Amen

• Creator God, you gave to us the care of our planet and yet all that we seem to do is spoil it. We pollute the atmosphere in our striving for worldly goods, we endanger the lives of your animal kingdom in our constant desire for farmland and cash crops and we bring death and destruction in senseless wars and acts of terrorism. We pray for a time when commonsense rules and we all learn once again to be good stewards of your wonderful creation. Amen

• Father, we bring to you the needs of those whose lives are shadowed by suffering, naming before you those known to us personally.  We pray especially for those whose sickness has no cure, whose sadness finds no comfort, and whose loneliness can never be filled. Bind up their wounds, O Lord, and lift their hearts to you. Amen

• Gracious God, you give light to those in darkness who walk in the shadow of death. We pray for those known to us whose life is ebbing gently away and for those who have recently died. Remember in your kingdom your faithful servants, that death may be for them the gate to life and to unending fellowship with you. Comfort their loved ones with the assurance of your presence and your peace, the peace which passes our understanding. Amen

• Heavenly Father, we entrust to your love and care the members of our families wherever they may be. Supply their needs and guide their steps; keep them in safety of body and soul; and let your peace rest upon us all. Amen

• Faithful God, you have promised to be with us and long ago sent your Spirit to live amongst us to guide us to a future of goodness and hope. As we journey through this week, may we seek your truth and justice, help us to feel your presence and see your answers to our prayers Amen

May the grace of Christ our Saviour,

and the Father’s boundless love,

with the Holy Spirit’s favour,

rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union

with each other and the Lord,

and possess, in sweet communion,

joys which earth cannot afford.

                                      John Newton