A Concord Pastor Comments: Lighting the Fourth Candle on the Advent Wreath: 12/22

If you have an Advent Wreath at home, pray for perseverance in this fourth week of the season as you light all four candles each day. If you don't have an Advent Wreath - light any candle and pray for perseverance. If you have no candle, simply stay right here with candles above and pray for perseverance... And yes: pray this same litany on each night of the fourth week of Advent...

With the lighting of this fourth Advent candle, let's pray for perseverance: for the grace to be faithful in good times and in bad, in season and out of season, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ...

In the dark of night, Lord, help me persevere...

In the dead of winter, Lord, help me persevere...

In the heat of the day, Lord, help me persevere...

On the uphill side, Lord, help me persevere...

When the odds are against me, Lord, help me persevere...

When others have abandoned me, Lord, help me persevere...

When I just don't know the way, Lord, help me persevere...

When I cannot find your face, Lord, help me persevere...

When I can't find words for prayer, Lord, help me persevere...

When the news gets worse each day, Lord, help me persevere....

When my burdens seem too heavy, Lord, help me persevere...

When I fear you have forgotten me, Lord, help me persevere...

When I suffer for your name, Lord, help me persevere...

When I hunger for your word, Lord, help me persevere...

When I thirst for peace and joy, Lord, help me persevere...

When I don't know where to turn, Lord, help me persevere...

When hope unravels and dissolves, Lord, help me persevere...

When I want to give up, Lord, help me persevere...

When I wish the holidays were over, Lord, help me persevere...

When my faith wears thin, Lord, help me persevere...

When one more step seems just too much, Lord,

help me persevere...

Send me your Spirit, Lord:

to strengthen my heart,

to give me new purpose,