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Pause each day to reflect prayerfully on the symbols, traditions and practices — ancient and new — that we see and experience throughout Advent and Christmas. Give thanks for everything that centers our attention on the good news of Jesus Christ, deepens our faith as loved and redeemed children of God, and inspires and guides our baptismal journey.

Lift up prayers of thanks and praise for this season of anticipation, remembrance and celebration of Jesus Christ — God’s awesome gift of love and redemption for all humanity.

Give thanks to God for rescuing us from the power of darkness and bringing us into the light of new life in Jesus Christ — our Lord and savior, head of our church and the one who has reconciled us to God.

On “Black Friday” — a day of sales, buying and consumption — take time to reflect prayerfully on the difference between wants and needs, on generosity toward our neighbors, on stewardship of wealth and abundance, on everything God has entrusted to us, and on our true identity as children of God who are loved, forgiven and granted a new vision of life.

Give thanks for the abundant resources God has entrusted to us, and for family, friends and other people who bless and enrich our lives. Give thanks that the spirit of God is generous, compassionate and fair, and that our unique gifts and abilities are brought together in the body of Christ for the sake of the world, especially those in need who have been neglected.

Pray for people who suffer hunger, food insecurity or lack of access to the nutrition necessary for life and health. Ask that the Holy Spirit will move us to bring relief, instill hope and end hunger and poverty wherever it exists.

Give thanks that — despite war, conflict, hunger, poverty, suffering, illness and injustice — “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Pray that we will be emboldened by this grace-filled promise and reality to help and strengthen our neighbors in every situation and corner of the world.

Remember in prayer our ELCA missionaries and young people serving as Young Adults in Global Mission as they support the programs and ministries of companion churches in Senegal, Eswatini, South Africa, South Sudan, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

While we profess our faith in Jesus Christ, we sometimes puzzle over who Jesus is and over his resurrection. Pray that our wisdom and faith will grow and mature as, together with our sisters and brothers in Christ, we pray, study, converse and give ourselves over to the Spirit’s inspiration.

Praise God for the critical work we do together through ELCA Disaster Response and for our partners, who bring God’s hope, healing and renewal to people in the United States and around the world whose lives have been disrupted by natural disaster.

Sing praises and make joyful noise for the wonderful things God has done and for God’s undeserved steadfast love and faithfulness.

Pray for congregational and synod ministries and ELCA-related organizations that attend to the unique needs of women and men by encouraging faith, offering opportunities for service, helping develop and support leaders, creating safe environments for conversation and mutual care across generations, and affirming both our unity and our diversity in Christ.

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide and shape our lives so that we might exemplify how to live and work together, care for one another, exercise generosity and tirelessly do what is right and just for the sake of our neighbor.

Pray for the vision and impact of the 26 congregations, synods, ministries and ELCA-related agencies and organizations that have been awarded mental health ministry grants. Pray that their work will inspire others as they address mental health issues and develop new approaches to advocating for and assisting people with mental illness and their families.