I was reminded the other day by my colleague about how hard Advent and Christmas can be because it is so much about family. As I was looking for inspiration to write my column for Kirkko ja me I came accross this prayer. May it be a blessing to all of you who find this time of the year to be hard. May it remind you that many of us with families do know just how hard it can be because we haven't necessarily had a family ourselves for all our lives. And we pray for you adn will be there for you, too.
Father God,
I ask you to come to those whose hearts ache on your Son's birthday.
Although they sincerely thank you for your greatest gift of all --
they are hurting and lonely.
Father, let them know it's ok to express to you the pain and loneliness and frustration in their hearts. Let them know you are listening --
and care.
I pray for those who are single and who have no family --
who spend much of the holidays alone.
Be with them in the lonely hours,
help them not to feel marginalized during this season that places so much emphasis on 'family'.
I pray for those who are housebound and infirm
and are unable to leave their homes or hospital rooms due to illness.
I pray for those with loved ones that are separated
due to work, weather, duty or other circumstances.
I pray for families who are struggling this year,
financially and emotionally.
I pray for desperate spouses who worry over their marriage.
I pray for those children who are frightened and alone,
who are in abusive situations or who sense the worry and frustration that their parents try to hide.
I pray for parents who have children who are ill in body;
ill in mind or
who are addicted to drugs.
Jesus, please come as Immanuel --
God with us.
Jesus, please enter into each place,
each home,
each hospital room,
each homeless shelter,
each hotel,
each jail cell,
each place of business -
let them know they are not alone.
Holy Spirit, come as the Comforter, l
et your gentle, healing warmth sooth and bring solace to aching hearts.
God the Father, come to those without family
and remind them that you are their family.
Show them your heavenly, attentive, fatherly love for them
in a way that they can understand.
I pray this in the name of Jesus --
who knows our sorrows and understands our hearts.
Katherine Walden
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