Festival of Lessons & Carols

Prayers

Lord Jesus Christ,
As we approach this Christmas day we do not only wait—
we declare our longing for Your visible, transforming presence in our midst.
Break into our reality.
Disrupt what is broken.
Renew what is weary.
Establish what reflects Your kingdom.
Come, Lord Jesus, and make Yourself known.

Over Cambridge and the region we speak Your peace and Your justice.
Let light rise over every place overshadowed by loneliness, inequality, or fear.
We call forth a city and region awakened to Your presence—
where compassion overturns indifference,
and where righteousness challenges systems that harm or exclude.
Let institutions, neighbourhoods, and homes
become places where Your truth is lived,
Your mercy is practised,
and Your love is unmistakably displayed.

Over the United Kingdom we speak Your wisdom and Your order.
Let Your voice be heard above division and confusion.
Raise leaders who walk in integrity,
who defend the weak, and who pursue what is just.
We proclaim that Your kingdom will not be pushed aside—
that Your justice will roll like a mighty river through our streets,
shaping policies, attitudes, and the way we treat one another.
Let this nation become a witness to Your reconciling power.

Over the nations of the world we speak Your peace.
Into war-torn lands—let Your peace confront violence.
Into places of oppression—let Your freedom break chains.
Into communities facing hunger, disaster, or displacement—
let Your provision and protection be revealed.
Strengthen those who stand for truth,
who shelter the vulnerable,
who labour for peace across boundaries and borders.
Let the world see Emmanuel — God with us —
through the courageous witness of Your people.

Come, Lord Jesus.
Establish Your kingdom in our words and in our deeds.
Make us carriers of Your presence,
messengers of Your justice,
and bearers of Your peace—
in Cambridgeshire, across the UK, and throughout the world.
Until every eye sees and every heart knows
that You are Lord of all.