Advent Prayers for you from the Faculty–Week One

We invite you to take a moment, center yourself and read this prayer–as we pray with and for you.

This Advent Week One prayer was submitted by Dr. Christine Roy Yoder, Columbia’s Senior Vice President, Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, and J. McDowell Richards Professor of Biblical Interpretation.

Advent Prayer

Rightly praised are you, O Holy One.

For you we wait.

We wait, assured by your promises to our ancestors.

Those who wait for you renew their strength,

mount up with wings like eagles,

run and not grow weary,

walk and not faint.

We wait, confident that heaven and earth are yours.

You meet the groans and deepest longings of creation with your Word.

Though we may see only scorching sands, parched soil, a lifeless stump, the jackals’ haunt,

              You are already and ever at work,

                             springs of water, reeds and rushes, a green shoot,

the blooming crocus, creation in chorus,

                                           joy piercing, joy pressing, joy vanquishing the terrified silence.

              Keep us alert that we may glimpse your wonders and be encouraged.

May we respond with acts of courage and generosity,

humility and wisdom, justice-making and peace.   

              Remind us that we are a hope-filled people because you are our God.

We wait, certain that the prayers of our hearts are known to you.        

For those who govern and those who speak truth to power.

For the caregiver, the helper, the advocate, the activist.

For the suffering, the sick, the lonely, the hungry, the grieving.

For the imprisoned, the terrified, the silenced, the weary.

Breathe your mercies on the world you fiercely love.

Break our bows, shatter our spears, and burn our shields with fire.

Send sorrow and fear fast fleeing away.

We wait, expectant, and assured that the day is surely coming

when you will tear open the heavens and come down,

wipe the tears from all faces,

reconcile the world to yourself,

and swallow up death forever.

Rightly praised are you, O Holy One.

Come.

Christine Roy Yoder
November 2, 2025

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