Advent Peace Prayer for Marriages

Mary and Joseph were making an uneasy journey in advent.
Hugely pregnant, and with bills to pay,
they were barely through a conflict that nearly divided them.
God of grace, hear our advent prayer
for people whose marriages are in trouble.
Thank you for romantic love, and the rush of desire:
help couples who feel empty when that fades or disappears,
show them that love is deeper than romance.
Thank you for harmony and partnership:
help couples that have lost their way,
who wallow in conflict rather than pulling through to the other side.
Thank you for lovers who honour and delight:
help couples whose lovemaking has become selfish
and totally devoid of tenderness.
Thank you for unity of purpose and shared pursuits:
help couples who have grown apart
and want different things from life.
Thank you for partners who cherish each other as companions:
help couples who live with walls between them
and have forgotten how to enjoy each other’s company.
Thank you for the sacred gift of intimacy:
help us when we idolize marriage and forget
that friendship in community is the core of Christian life.
Jesus, be with all who are re-learning how to be together
as they walk the long marriage road.
Holy Spirit, you know when there is hope for a marriage
and when partners cannot rally.
Give insight, especially when safety has been shattered by violence.
Help us as a community to support married people,
and to offer unconditional love to everyone,
even when we are broken.

New Book Coming Soon!

Carol Penner has written a devotional book for Lent that explores the challenges of repentance and forgiveness. Forty reflections and prayers to deepen your walk with God as you prepare for Easter.  

You can order it here!

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

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