Silent Word, Creative Act, Hidden Truth, Revealed Love:
We wait for you.
To be precise, we are impatient for you to come and set things right.
We are insecure with our world,
fearful of crime and disease in the streets,
and anxious about ourselves.
We refuse your guidance, but we often wish you would act
according to our plans.
We seldom pause to consider that you are waiting for us;
for some genuine act of contrition;
waiting for us to repent and change;
waiting for us to listen and respond
with a burning passion to your truth, your justice, and your mercy.
Furnish us with humble hearts and willing spirits to receive you
as you come to us through all the experiences of our lives.
Amen.
Allen P. Happe, 1938-1998, American Congregational Minister
The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayers, slightly modified
___________________________
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope—
the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ
prayer & verse 