Opening Prayer:

Let us pray that we may take Christ's coming seriously.

All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, I sense your power, your might and I stand in awe, painfully aware of how poor and weak I am before you.

As I begin this Advent journey, teach me to turn to you in my fear and sorrow.

I don't want to keep making my heart hard against you turning a deaf ear to your invitation.

Only you can help me to soften, to be like the clay in your gentle potter's hands.

Amen.

Printed with permission from Catholic Expert.

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