A prayer for the coming of Christ in My Life

Father God,

Thank you for the advent gifts of hope, peace, joy and love.
By accepting and opening thse gifts in my life, I realize that I need a savior.  Because I accept Jesus, your Son as my Savior my life is forever changed.

May I always be the face of forgiveness- just as Jesus forgave sins and so opened communications between God and man as well as each other. Give me courage to be forgivness in a society that expects revenge as payment for hurt.

May I always be the face of nonviolence, treating others as I myself would want to be treated. Give me the ability to see your presence in each heart so that I may treat others as I would treat God, for he truely exists in each created person.

May I always be the face of unconditional love, a love that is freely received and given. Give me the ability to walk a mile in the shoes of others, and to see that you walk with and love them as you surely do patiently with me.

In doing these things, not on my own power but yours, Father, may the fruit of your gifts and your work with in me be a world that knows your love, where justice and peace shall kiss.

I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Prayer for Peace in Syria

GOD OF COMPASSION,

LISTEN TO THE CRIES
OF THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA.

Give comfort to those who suffer
because of the violence,
console those who mourn their dead,
and strength to neighboring countries
to welcome the refugees.

Convert the hearts of
those who resort to arms
and protect those who
work to promote peace.

GOD OF HOPE,

inspire leaders to choose
peace instead of violence
and to seek reconciliation with their enemies.
Inspire compassion in the universal Church
for the Syrian people and give us hope
for a future of peace based on justice for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
Prince of Peace and Light of the world.

AMEN.