O God, whose will is justice for the poor,
and peace for the afflicted,
Let your herald's urgent voice pierce our hardened hearts
and announce the dawn of your kingdom.
Before the advent of the One
who baptizes with the fire of the Holy Spirit,
let our complacency give way to conversion,
oppression to to justice,
and conflict to acceptance of of one another in Christ.
We ask this through the One whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near,
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
( Sacramentary, U.S.A.. 20th cent )
The United Methodist Book of Worship
Nashville, Tennessee
1992
