Praying Together 2021

226 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. May the love of Christ be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Let us pray that we might look upon others with compassion. (pause) You care for us, O God, and comfort us in our distress. Bless and strengthen us so that we might support others in their times of sadness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 1:3-4 Brothers and sisters: Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Can you remember a time when you have been sad or worried? What made you feel better? The wonderful news in today’s reading is that God always gives us comfort. After we know the peace and joy that comes from God’s merciful love, we can share it with others! Let’ s spend a few moments in stillness, letting the peace of God’s love wash over us. As the music plays, you may like to repeat these words slowly: “God always gives us comfort”. DISMISSAL May the God of consolation walk with us. Amen. May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. Thursday Week 2 Advent 9 December 2021 “The Father is a merciful God who always gives us comfort.”