A PRAYER FOR ADVENT 2 (OT)

Malachi 3:1-20

3See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

How can we endure you, Lord Jesus

We cannot last long when you come

We must hide

make ourselves scarce

not be noticeable

We are afraid of your judgement

 we will be found guilty

Guilty of lust and greed

apathy and selfishness

hatred and violence

2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

How can we face you, Lord Jesus

We will confront us with our sins and misdeeds

You will force us to look inside ourselves

see our coarseness and vulgarities

You will make us see whom we have love

and whom we have ignored

You will show us what difference we might have made

but we're too lazy and insensitive

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier

Jesus, the refiner

You will purify our thoughts

and renew our souls

You will wash away the grime of our lives

and the sleaze in our souls

Your will burn away the crust around our hearts

and wipe the tarnish from our minds

Jesus, the purifier

You will wash us from top to bottom

Cleanse us inside and out

You will bathe us in the Spirit

so we may soar like eagles

You will expunge our warlike affections

and teach us the ways of peace

He will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.

Accept our offerings we humbly bring

May we perform acts of kindness

deeds of love

moments of comfort

words of forgiveness

and offer them up to you

May our very lives

Lived in shalom

Drenched in charity

Founded on love

Be our offering to you

3See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me,

Come Lord Jesus

Come and prepare the way for us to walk

Come and prepare our hearts for love

Come and prepare our lives for discipleship

Come Lord Jesus

Come Now

Come always

Come forever

Amen