A PRAYER FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT OT

A PRAYER FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT OT

Matthew 3:7-12

7 But when he(John) saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

We confess, Lord Jesus

We are but barren branches 

on a tree 

dying in the orchard

rotten fruit falling to the ground

You planted us to yield 

a living and loving life

that would pollinate many 

peoples and places 

growing and thriving

Instead our branches bear

only thorns and thistles

full of anxiousness and

self-centered ness

without flower or seed

Swing your ax

down upon us

to clear your orchard

of dead trees

and wasted space

We confess, Lord Jesus

We are no more than chaff

laying on the threshing floor

gleaned from the scythe

from the field at harvest

You planted us in your fields

to become the stewards

of your creation

Nurture and protect 

our earth and its inhabitants 

Rather we rot upon the vine

feeding only vultures

to hover over and devour

our oceans and plains

deer and lamb

Pitch into us your winnowing fork

and clear away spoilage

that corrupts everything 

and everyone

we touch and see

Forgive us

and redeem us

Christ Jesus

that we may flower and grow

bear fruit as your followers 

and feed all those who hunger

  

Forgive us

and redeem us

Christ Jesus

that we may bring forth

an abundant harvest

of justice and peace

Amen