Opening Prayer

Come once again,
and feed your flock like a shepherd.

Come once again,
and gather up the children, the oppressed,
the sick, the lonely, the humble,
and the rejected of the earth.

Turn our hearts to the least of your children,
for if we lose them,
we become lost.

Reconcile us to you
and to those we have hurt.

On this Christ the King Sunday,
join us together with neighbors, with strangers,
and especially with our own household.

Bring us to your light
in our time of darkness,
through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Adapted from First Sunday of Advent Prayers and Litanies, posted on the Ministry Matters website, www.ministrymatters.com/; reposted on re:Worship, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/10/advent-prayer-come-once-again.html.

Prayer for National Leaders

Lord, we believe you when you say you will lead us. But we have suffered at the hands of those who would destroy and scatter your sheep. You promised that you would raise up shepherds who will gather us together so that no one will have to live in fear. So,we look for those shepherds, Lord.

We pray for those who will do good and do right, for those who will protect the children, who will school the children, who will give the children hope.

We pray for those shepherds who will pursue peace, who will walk humbly, who will reconcile nations.

We pray for shepherds who will fight injustice, who stand on the side of justice.

We pray for shepherds who will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and set at liberty the captives.

We pray for shepherds who will spread love, show mercy, and practice hospitality.

Lord, we pray for our shepherds, we pray for our people, we pray for our country, we pray for the nations. Amen.

Tony Peterson, The Africana Worship Book for Year C (Discipleship Resources, 2008), 164.

Prayer of Confession (Jeremiah 23, Colossians 1)

Imagining your reign
can be difficult, eternal God.
It is difficult to picture a world
governed by your justice
and righteousness alone.
Our minds are held captive
by the worst images
of human kings, rulers, and powers.
When nobler visions fail
and we settle for kingdoms
of our own making,
correct and forgive us.
Free the borders of our imaginations,
that we may envision your greater good
and celebrate the coming of your reign
on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon (Luke 1)

Hear the prophecy of Zechariah:
Tender mercy and forgiveness
are the ways of God. We are forgiven.
Let the church say,
Amen.

Hans Holznagel, “Worship Elements: November 20, 2022,” Ministry Matters, https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/4410/worship-elements-november-20-2022.

Benediction

Though the days increase in their darkness, the Lord of light and love reigns supreme. May the power of God’s love be in your hearts and reflected in your lives now and always. Go in peace, and may God’s peace be with you. AMEN.

Nancy C. Townley, “Worship Connection: November 20, 2022,” Ministry Matters, https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/4411/worship-connection-november-20-2022.