Appropriate for a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service acknowledging the challenges many people face during the ‘holiday’ season.
God, you are not distant from us; you come to us in vulnerability, you offer yourself as a gift of love.
God of love,
hear our prayer.
This night we pray for all who mourn.
All who are lonely or in pain.
All who are haunted by memories.
All who are desperate or exhausted.
All who are dying.
God of love,
hear our prayer.
This night we remember those
whose suffering is compounded
by the compulsory good cheer of this season.
Those who feel alienated by Christmas celebrations.
Those for whom wounds of grief are reopened
when this time of year comes around.
God of love,
hear our prayer.
This night we lament the year that has passed
and the losses it has brought us.
We bring to you our fears
for what the future may hold.
God of love,
hear our prayer.
This night we gather in solidarity
with those whose hearts or spirits are broken,
and with all who wait with longing
for the breaking of dawn.
Make us bearers of your presence.
God of love,
hear our prayer.
This night we claim your promises,
that you will not break a bruised reed,
or snuff out a dimly burning wick.
Your ears are never closed
to the cries of those who suffer.
Where faith burns low,
where light and hope are scarce,
the darkness shall not overcome.
God of love,
hear our prayer.
